How to Smudge & Bless Yourself & Others

1. Smudge prayer

May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.

May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be;

May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly;

May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed;

May your eyes be cleansed, that you might see the signs and wonders of the world;

May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants,

And may that same smoke carry our prayers, spiraling, to the heavens.

2. Smudge yourself

Wash your hands with the smoke. Bring the smoke over your head, to your heart, eyes, ears, mouth, shoulders, down your arms, around your torso to your back and legs, and last of all your feet to ensure you walk the right path.

3. Offer smoke to the 4 different directions

Start East then, turning clockwise, offer to the South, again turning, to the West and then again to the North Also offer the smoke downwards to Mother Earth, upwards to Father Sky and, most importantly, to the Creator or Great Spirit. You may also offer the smoke to the moon, sun, waters, winds and the Universe.

What are the four different directions?

East – Light and the start of a new day, new beginnings and the opportunity to grow and become wise. South – Growth, our Earth and the warmth of summer. West – Maturity, the direction of the setting sun. Symbolic of the changing of the seasons and the end of our day. North – Wisdom & Guidance, the trials and journey we endure in life.

4. Begin smudging

5. Close with a closing prayer similar to your opening but showing appreciation.

6. Extinguish the smudge stick

Always have a shell, a glass, stone or ceramic dish on hand to put the smudge stick in when you’ve finished. Ideally, the stick should be pressed out in sand or earth, or just press it against the bottom of the receptacle. Always make sure that a smudge stick is completely out before leaving the room. I prefer to put the smudge stick in a mason jar, cover it with foil and allow the smudge stick to extinguish itself but be sure it is before leaving it unattended! When you are finished smudging sweetgrass, extinguish the braid by damping it against the shell.

Smudging another person

To do a blessing of a person, begin by looking into the eyes of the person for a moment to 'greet' them, fan the smoke first at their heart and then up to the right side (your left) of the person's head, moving around clockwise (sun-wise), gently washing them with the smoke. Continue brushing smoke down over their left shoulder and the length of their arm and back up again to the shoulder. Wash the smoke down the left side of the torso, left leg and foot. Now smudge the right foot, up the left leg, torso and down the length of the right arm and back up to the shoulder. Now turn the person around, turning to their right (sun-wise again) and repeat these movements as you smudge and bless the person's back. For objects, bless them moving sun-wise around them also.

Smudging a room or space

After smudging yourself, walk about the perimeter or the room or space, giving special attention to the corners and the places behind and around doors and windows. If you’re using tools, smudge them as well. Wave the smudge stick in slow circles or use your hands or a feather to fan the smoke throughout the room.

Smudging crystals

Hold the objects to be purified in the smoke or fan the smoke over them. If you are clearing your crystals prior to programming them, thank both them and the smudge stick for helping you to realize your goals.

The four directions chant to cleanse your space or persons:

Facing East: I welcome the energy of the beginning way, the rising sun at the beginning of the day and the light of illumination. Welcome Eagle, flying nearest the heavens, with the clearest of vision. I welcome the energies and spirits of the East. HO!

Facing South: I welcome the energy of service to all my relatives, the heat of the noonday sun and the spirit of action in the world. Welcome Coyote spirit. I welcome the energies and spirits of the South. HO!

Facing West: I welcome the energy of looking within to find the gifts of healing. Welcome Bear spirit going deep within to seek the gift of renewal. I welcome the energies and spirits of the West. HO!

Facing North: I welcome the energy of wisdom and blessing and the Grandmothers and Grandfathers who teach me. Welcome Buffalo and the spirit of giveaway, teach me to be generous and honor all that I receive. I welcome the energies and spirits of the North. HO!

Looking up: I welcome the energy and spirit of Above. Father Sky, Star people, and Cloud people. Welcome all that is masculine, grandfathers, fathers, brothers, uncles and sons. And that masculine energy that also exists within the feminine. I welcome the energies and spirits of Father Sky. HO!

Looking down (touching the ground): I welcome the energy of Mother Earth, the feminine principle, the energy and spirit of Below. I welcome the energy and the spirit of our grandmothers, our mothers, sisters, aunties and daughters. And that feminine energy that exists within the Masculine. I welcome the energies and spirits of Mother Earth. HO!

Looking within (holding your hands over your heart): I welcome the energy of Within, the principle of being connected, the energy and spirit of Within. I welcome the gifts of balance, oneness, and the connection with all things, for all things are one and all things are related. HO!

**This is more Native American culture, please be mindful of appropriation**

More appropriate blessing you can use to cleanse things:

The Sacred Sage Burns As I Walk With Creator

To Cleanse This Space And Protect My Home

To Heal, Bring Strength And Bring Peace

I Honor The Cycle Of Life And The Four Directions

From The New Beginning In the East, Birth

The Warmth And Light Of The South, Growth

Closing The Day, Bringing Change In the West, Maturity

The North Gives Wisdom And Guidance, Transition

To Heal And Strengthen, The Sacred Sage Burns

What is the meaning behind these methods?

Smudging is traditionally performed a certain way in honor of the four directions and Creator. The four directions (North, South, East & West) have significant meaning to Native people. When you are Smudging you are pushing out negativity and bringing in positivity and ancient tradition honors the important things in life like health, nature, stages of life, seasons of the year, the earth, the universe, animals, plants – everything around us that makes it all possible.

**It is important to remember to never leave a burning sage unattended.**

**After smudging, it is very important to open your doors and windows for 10-15 minutes to allow the smoke and the negative energy to escape outside.**