Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have burned sage for centuries as part of a spiritual ritual to cleanse a person or space of negative energy, and to promote healing and wisdom. It’s been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Romans to treat digestive issues, memory problems, and more. The name sage comes from the Latin “salvia,” which means, “to feel healthy”. Sage also has antimicrobial properties which means it literally cleans the air and keeps infectious bacteria, viruses, and fungi at bay.
Before you “smudge” or burn sage, it is important to set some intentions, open windows and find a receptacle to catch ashes. Then, light the end of the bundle and let the smoke waft into the air. You can use a feather or fan to direct smoke where you’d like it, but it is not necessary. If your intention is to cleanse a space, you’d then walk around the space with the smoking wand. While slowly walking through your space with your smoky sage visualize and verbalize your intentions. “I release all negative energy from this space. I invite healing, positive energy into this space”. If you are using your sage bundle to cleanse a person or object, prepare in the same manner. Then move the sage wand in counterclockwise circles around the person or object while focused on and verbalizing your intentions.