I can’t remember how old I was when my mom first started smudging down the house with sage sticks, but I recall feeling the effects of what she was doing, as there was a noticeable energy difference in the house once she had mindfully gone from room to room waving the smoking bundle of sage. ‘Smudging’ is the common name given for the Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing, a powerful cleansing technique from the Native American tradition. To define it more clearly, shamanic smudging is the burning of herbs or incense for cleansing, purification, protection of physical and spiritual bodies, banishment of negative energies and creation of sacred space. The smoke attaches itself to negative energies, and as the smoke clears, it takes the negative energy with it, and is used by Native Americans, healers, religious and spiritual groups, and more. The house felt better.. lighter, after my mom had done this “spiritual house cleaning”, and I thus learned a respect for the Native American tradition. I have always purchased my sage sticks, but when I took myself on an Artist’s Date to make herb pots back in May, I specifically planted sage so that I would be able to make my own sage sticks at long last! 
A few weeks ago, it became quite evident that it was time to harvest my sage for my first ever smudge stick making attempt. While many different herbs can be used to make smudge sticks, such as sage, sweet grass, rosemary, cedar, mugwort, pine, and/or juniper, they are most commonly made with white sage. I grew common sage, which can cause respiratory irritation in some people, although the same can be said for sage in general. (Note: Please experiment carefully, especially if you are asthmatic or have respiratory issues.) I have not had a problem with it, and was grateful for its abundant harvest. I asked the plant for permission, cut it down with loving intent and appreciation, then hung it to dry. Ohh, no! What’s that? If you know how smudge sticks are traditionally made, you know that it is to roll them while the leaves are fresh and moist. But when I researched it, I came across directions telling me I could dry the leaves first, and, knowing how long it takes for common sage to dry, mixed with an unwillness for any mildew to form in the middle of my smudge stick (yuck! the antithesis of its intent!), I opted to use the drying-first method.
Just as there are many uses for them, there are many methods for making a smudge stick. The easiest and most common way is to bundle a few sprigs, about 8-11 inches in length, tying them together at the base with jute, hemp or cotton (the length of string needed is about 2 1/2 times the height of the cut sage branches).
Wrap the string firmly around the bundled branches from base to the tips, then switch directions, wrapping back towards the base. This should form a criss-cross pattern. Tie the two ends of string together at the base. More complex methods of smudge stick making use newspaper, or even sushi mats to tightly roll the leaves together. Find what works best for you.
I didn’t have the heart to cut in half such beautifully tall branches, so one smudge stick came out rather tall. I was thinking I could send it to Barack Obama, as clearing negative energies from the White House is going to be a BIG job! *giggle*
With my smudge stick made, I carefully lit the tips, which was quick to smolder without burning. Hey! Perfect! I went about the house clearing away all the emotional and psychic “garbage” that may have gathered. I always begin at the bottom of the house and move upwards. I also choose to work in a counter-clockwise direction to remove old energies. Smudging in a clockwise direction, around the perimeter of the room or building, or honoring the four directions and elements are the more common methods of smudging, but as always, it is about the intention and what feels right to you.I can always feel the stuck energy, awaiting release. My smudge stick burned evenly, smoothly and better than many that I have purchased in stores! Awesome! Not only that, my house felt wonderful!
I was very careful to carry a ceramic dish beneath it for the bits of burning leaf and ash that fall. You must always be very mindful with smudge sticks. Always make certain your smudge stick is out before leaving the room. The best way to extinguish a smudge stick is to dampen it in sand or earth, but you can also just press it into the bottom of a shell, glass or ceramic dish. If you must, you can use a small amount of water, which is how my mom chooses to extinguish her smudge sticks.
Regardless of the types of sage stick used, or your smudging method, it is an easy, totally adaptable, user-friendly tool which I highly recommend. Our bodies and all that is around us vibrate as a subtle, invisible energy (chi or qi, prana, quwa, etc.) which needs to be brought back into balance. Smudging is a wonderful way to cleanse, purify, clear, and release this spiritual energy, restoring harmony and creating a greater flow. It’ll make you and your home feel better. Happy smudging!
My Artist Date with Smudge Sticks has 12 Comments
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November 8th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Bravo, Antonia! I’m so impressed that you grew your own sage and then assembled your own smudge stick! I have to think that brings a very special personal connection with the process of smudging that one would not necessarily feel by simply buying a smudge stick in a store.
Very special! Thanks for sharing and I love your personal photos!
Love,
Mom xxoox
November 8th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thanks, mom! It really did/does! It’s actually quite easy and fun!
A practice I’ll continue, but with further herb fusion, inclusion experimentation~ I think they turned out quite well though~
Love,
Antonia
xoxox
November 8th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Obama will need an army of sage carrying Shamans to clean up that White House hahaha. I will have to plant the white sage Mine is short and green lol. These look great.I also use water to put them out Im always fearful of fire .I love the smell of sage I also put it all over me when I use it by waving the smoke towards me .I love your info ..Love you too…
November 8th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
hehehe Great minds! I was thinking that sending a bunch of shamans
might be the only hope! Thank you, Lisa! haha Yes, I think white sage is best, but I look forward to trying different herbs next time.
Yes, the fear of fire element does make water more practical. Wise choice, I’m sure, although sand or earth would be just as effective.
Thanks, Lovely Lady!
Love you,
Antonia
February 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Just learned about this practice from a DVD by John Edwards… Much more involved than just using a sage smudge stick…. thorough house cleaning..closets..drawers… moving furniture…throwing away stuff… do the entire outside… the inside from the basement up.. this must all be done in ONE day without help from anyone… I am 81 years old, and could not do this without help from my daughter and grandson. and since I have a very large house, next to impossible. Then take a shower letting water run a long time, soaping twice… Put glasses of water around and if bubbles form, it means that negative energy is all around me..DON’T drink the water, throw it down the toilet flush flush …I am so confused and so tired I would like to try a smudging… and I can’t even find a place that sells smudge sticks.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Welcome, Anne!
Thank you for your visit and comment!
Well, that sounds like a very thorough cleaning, but probably more
than what is needed, especially by yourself and in one day~
Using sage to cleanse is tried and true method, and seems as
though it would be more realistic for you as well~ I buy sage sticks
from the health food store (whole foods online, perhaps, if you have
no access to one) or any Spiritual bookstore would also carry it!
I hope this helps you~ Best of luck!
Blessings,
Antonia
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
You and your mom are so cute!!
Eve
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I am lucky enough to live in an area where sage grows wild. I mostly climb a nearby mountain to gather it, but just today was lucky to find it in a very convenient location.
In the typical way that I do things, I wrapped it first then looked up directions online. Naturally, I guessed wrong. I started at the top and wrapped in one direction all the way to the bottom. I will try it again using the method you have described, which I assume is the traditional native way of doing it.
I have a question. I had always heard that it was difficult to propigate, so I am wondering if there is a time of year when it should not be cut and are there any parts which should never be taken? I believe it’s the white sage here in my area, although I have always called it silver sage.
Thank you again for sharing!!
March 6th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Welcome, Eve! Thank you! Very much appreciated!
How fortunate to have it growing wild around you! Lucky you!
I am not certain about its propagation in various areas, but I
was told that one should not cut it down in New Mexico. I grew
mine from seedlings in a pot, and found it very easy to grow.
I would suggest checking with your local officials, as I most
certain would want to honour their judgment in what is best~
Happy smudging, Dear One!
Many Blessings,
Antonia
November 21st, 2009 at 11:58 am
I garden with a large group of Public School children here in Canada and we have lots of sage ready to be harvested in our school garden. Our school is named after Shawnee chief Tecumseh and so I always try and teach the kids more about Anishnabe culture and traditions when we garden. I have been researching how to make smudge sticks and your site is most helpful. I do have a question though, other sites mentioned that you have to wrap the stick in newspaper for drying. Did you do that or did you simply tie it with string and then dry it? I am really excited to make these sticks with the students and then smudge with them in early spring (maybe at the equenox). Thanks for the beautiful site you have created!
November 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Welcome, Fabienne! Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
How wonderful that you are sharing the traditions! What a Lovely project for them!
I did not use newspaper, although I have read of doing so. It was my experience that tying them with string and letting them dry was easiest and most effective.
I wish you success with your smudge sticks!
Blessings,
Antonia
April 8th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
love the help with the sage.
i do have a question though.
i have a common sage plant.
how do i know when i am able to cut and dry it out?
April 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Welcome, Brett! thanks for your visit and comment!
You want your plants to be large enough to wrap,
depending upon the size of the smudge stick you
will be making. On average this is about 8-12 inches.
I hope this helps! Happy smudging!
Blessing,
Antonia