Smudging: The ancient art of burning a plant to spirit away the negative feelings or energy from a space and replace those feelings with positivity, peace, and clear intentions that outline the things we desire to take place.
If there is anything the past year has taught us, it is to appreciate what we have in our lives … Those things that are felt rather than seen, experienced rather than purchased. The feelings or “energy”, if you will, that surrounds us in our daily life has a profound effect on our mood, outlook, and overall contentment. It has become blatantly obvious to us all that our happiness and peace comes from within and cannot be based on what is going on in the world around us. Purposefully surrounding ourselves with positive energy and a clear direction not only contributes to our inner joy, but is also fully within our control.
A simple, easy, and fun way to accomplish this is practicing the art of smudging. At first glance, it may seem too hippie-dippy for some of us, but if you dig a bit deeper into this ritual, you may be pleasantly surprised. Smudging has been practiced for thousands of years throughout many cultures. An ancient ritual with roots through Native America, Asia, and Egypt’s 5th dynasty (that is 4500 years ago!), its benefits have stood the test of time. The premise is simple enough — Cleanse the air in your home, office, or anywhere you’d like a fresh beginning.
Are you a believer in science? If so, smudging will be right up your alley, as research has shown that there are actual health benefits to smudging, along with emotional/psychological benefits. White Sage, the most popular herb used in smudging, is antimicrobial and antibacterial. It has been shown to clean the air of infectious bacteria and viruses for up to 24 hours after use! Sage also contains flavonoids, a natural substance known to be important for human health with their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral agents. This compound also appears to improve brain health and helps against depression and anxiety. We can all agree that those are some amazing benefits we would love to enjoy.
Where to begin? Lucky for us, we have a store here in our community that provides everything you’ll need for Smudging. Located at 510 Perry Street and owned by born and bred Castle Rock native Savannah Colletti, BoHo is the perfect place to acquire all your smudging needs. “In a word, this store is magic” says Savannah. Wife, mom to two sons, dog mom to three Frenchies and a business owner, there is no one better suited to help with adding positive energy and peace to our lives. She has put together a beginner’s kit for those wanting to try their hand at smudging and she also provides an array of herbs to use based on the particular need of the individual. Her selection is ever changing, allowing us to explore the specific benefits of each plant. Ultimately, the art of smudging is a cleanse. Rid yourself of negativity and those “bad vibes” that tend to show up out of nowhere. Set clear aspirations about what you want in your life and invite positive energy into your space.
Each type of herb has its own unique properties that will help with specific needs. We all love having choices, and BoHo gives us the opportunity to try out all the options!
Blue Sage – Banishes negative energy.
White Sage – Purifies the energy in your space.
Dragon’s Blood – Brings protection to your space.
Lavender/Eucalyptus – Promotes balance, brings healing and peace.
Mugwort – Brings positive dreams.
Yerba Santa – Helps with emotional wounds and pain. Helps set boundaries.
Starter Kit – Contains a White Sage bundle, an abalone shell (to collect the embers-it is fireproof!), Palo Santo (holy wood) that is ethically harvested from South Africa, and a clear quartz along with a smudge blessing/prayer card.
All you have to do now is state your purpose. Clear out the negative energy. Add positivity. Good energy. Strength. Protection. Health.
As we move from 2020 into 2021, let’s give ourselves a fresh start, a new outlook, and a clean slate. We can focus on the joy and peace that comes from within ourselves and move forward with the clear intentions and positive energy that we purposefully add to our space.