What are smudge used for?

What are smudge used for?

Smudging is traditionally a ceremony for purifying or cleansing the soul of negative thoughts of a person or place. There are four elements involved in a smudge: The container, traditionally a shell representing water, is the first element.

Can I use a ceramic bowl for smudging?

These hand thrown stoneware clay smudge bowls are perfect for burning your favorite smudge sticks, like white sage or palo santo.

What does smudge mean spiritually?

Smudging is an ancient purification ritual originally practiced by Native Americans. It involves igniting a bundle or braidof dried herbs and waving the smoke to purify people or spaces. Smudging metaphorically renews and cleanses the body, the mind and the spirit.

Why is it called smudging?

The word “smudging” comes from “smudge,” which is English in origin. However, the term has been used widely to refer to the smudging ceremonies of Indigenous peoples, in which sacred herbs and medicines are burned as part of a ritual, or for cleansing or health purposes.

How do you do smudging?

A Feng Shui Practice for Clearing Your Home Anjie Cho is a certified feng shui consultant, architect, and author. She is also the co-founder of Mindful Design Feng Shui School. There are many different plant materials you can use for smudging. Some common ones are: sage, cedar, sweet grass, and lavender.

What kind of bowl can I use for smudging?

A soapstone bowl is probably the best choice for smudging. Soapstone is a popular material of choice for countertops since it is designed to take a beating and is heat resistant. So there you have it.

Why are abalone shells used for smudging?

Abalone shells (known in New Zealand as paua) are often used in smudging rituals, not only because they are practical in that they catch the hot cinders that fall away from the smudging stick after it has burnt, but also because they are a beautiful gift straight from Mother Earth’s ocean.

Is smudging religious?

Smudging serves a variety of functions in different Indigenous cultures. As a ritual event, it is considered significant to spiritual and theological beliefs, as are sweat lodges and sacred pipes in certain cultures. (See also Religion and Spirituality of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.)

What cultures use smudging?

Smudging, though, is most associated with northern Native American traditions. Sage is not the only herb used in smudging ceremonies; cedar, tobacco, yarrow and sweetgrass are used as well. The practice is often done to mark the beginning of ceremonies.

Why you should not buy sage?

Due to climate changes, over-harvesting, and water shortages in California, this plant is in great danger. On top of the ongoing problem of over-harvesting and drought conditions, fires in California last year damaged much of the land where sage traditionally grows.

How do you properly smudge?

How to smudge your living space, an object, and more

1. Light the end of a sage bundle with a match.
2. The tips of the leaves should smolder slowly, releasing thick smoke.
3. Allow the incense to linger on the areas of your body or surroundings you’d like to focus on.
4. Allow the ash to collect in a ceramic bowl or shell.

What does it mean when sage won’t stop burning?

If the sage bundle was packed too tight when made, then the oxygen can’t get in properly and the sage won’t stay lit. Loosen the ribbon around the sage and take the tip you are lighting and smash it on to a surface to give it a little breathing room. This helps to keep your sage smoking.

What’s the role of the Bowl in smudging?

The smudging bowl plays a very important role in smudging. Just like the herbs. It is what’s going to catch hot the cinders from the burning herbs, it is where you will place your burning herb to rest, and where you will put out the fire of your smudge stick.

What kind of Bowl is best for smudge sticks?

Cast iron bowls are also a popular choice for smudging. Cast iron is very tough material and fireproof, making burning smudge sticks a less worrisome activity. The cast iron material makes it easier to extinguish smudge sticks in. A soapstone bowl is probably the best choice for smudging.

Where does the tradition of smudging come from?

However, smudging is a traditional that goes back thousands of years. In a way, it is like the indigenous American form of incense use. When you perform a smudging ritual you are plugging in to an ancient, powerful line of spiritual tradition.

What kind of herbs are used for smudging?

The most popular herbs used for smudging are white sage, sweet grass, cedar, and lavender. To perform smudging, people generally use a plate or a bowl during the ceremony. This is necessary to catch any hot cinders and to avoid damaging your altar or floors. The bowl is also where you will place to rest your half used smudging stick.