The herb ‘Sage’ is often promoted as having
properties that enable it to assist with the banishing of evil spirits
or forces. Sage can be used to protect specific items by storing them
with bundles or boughs of Sage, or the herb may be burnt through the
practise of ‘Smudging’ in order to rid an area or home of the influences
of evil spirits and demons.
Smudging is the practise
of burning herbs such as Sage to create a cleansing smoke bath that can
be used to purify people, objects, and homes of negative effects caused
by evil or negative entities. Smudging is a practise utilised by many
indigenous cultures including the Native American Indians.
The practise of smudging
can be carried out using ‘smudge-sticks’, similar to joss-sticks
smudge-sticks are purpose made from the herb Sage and may be lit with a
candle. Alternatively loose dry herbs may be sprinkled over a burning
log or indoor fireplace, etc. to achieve the same effect.
When performing a
smudging ritual it is important to remember that if burning large
quantities of Sage to avoid respiratory stress and to avoid performing
the smudging ritual around infants, pregnant women, asthmatics, etc. and
to take all relevant precautions whilst dealing with open flames.
Other herbs used in the
practise of smudging that can be combined with Sage include: Bay leaf
(to protect against colds and flu), Fennel (to calm nerves), Mugwort
(for healing or to stimulate lucid dreams) and Orris root (to increase
psychic gifts and concentration).