Cleansing, Smudging, and Incense Burning
Certain spiritual practices aid, guide, protect, and dispel negative frequencies, spiritual attachments, and stagnant energy. Cleansing rituals—including smudging, incense burning, fasting, prayer, meditation, casting spells, creating sacred spaces, water purification, sun purification, bloodletting, talismans, crystals, thought purification, and herbal remedies—are some of the practices used to promote spiritual well-being. Among these, cleansing, smudging, and incense burning are closely related, so let’s explore these practices in greater detail.
There are many ways to cleanse and clear energy in and around your home or place of business. Simple acts such as sweeping the floors and washing them with special concoctions of lemongrass, citronella oil, or salt—known as a wash cleanse—can serve as a prerequisite for purification. Other methods include using sprays, spritzers, holy water, healing energy, talismans, and prayer. However, smudging has gained significant popularity in recent years, particularly among empaths and seekers, as the vibrational frequency of our world becomes more unified.
Smudging is the process of burning specific botanicals until their embers glow bright red, releasing smoke into the air. This smoke is used to purify and clear the environment of negative electromagnetic energy, spiritual attachments, and unwanted spirits. Smudging also serves to invoke purification, protection, and awakening in the spiritual realm. When clearing space, it is customary to direct the smoke into all corners of the home and into dark areas, drawers, and crevices that may not be easily seen. Often, you will recite a mantra or scripture verse while smudging. When cleansing yourself, you can waft the smoke around your aura using your hands or a smudging fan, all while speaking a mantra, prayer, or scripture from a sacred text. There is no specific duration required for a cleansing ritual, so take your time and remain aware of the energy and surroundings, envisioning the magic and feeling the vibrational energy.
You can use various botanicals for cleansing, smudging, and incense burning. Common choices include sage, palo santo, lavender, juniper, rue, hyssop, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, frankincense, and myrrh.
Cleansing and smudging are ancient traditions practiced by cultures worldwide. While many associate these practices primarily with Native American traditions, their origins extend far beyond that. Documented cleansing rituals date back to as early as 5000 BCE in various ancient cultures. For instance, Mesopotamian tablets describe cleansing rituals conducted by ashipu to rid individuals of evil spirits. In China, Feng Shui—meaning “wind and water”—was used as a cleansing ritual to cultivate good energy, or Qi, in a space, often employing joss sticks for this purpose. In the ancient Hindu tradition, burning incense was a sacred practice for honoring deities like Shiva and the ancestors, as well as during significant life events and ceremonies. The burning of incense for purification and prayer is also referenced numerous times in both the Torah and the Holy Bible. However, smudging has gained popularity due to its use in ancient Indigenous cultures of North and South America for protection and warding off negative spirits.
Why Does Smudging and Cleansing Work?
These practices are effective because the divine source or light connects all things made of elements. The Creator has gifted us with sacred plants that possess spirit consciousness, imbuing them with different purposes—some for healing, others for numbing, and many for nourishment. The Swiss-German philosopher Paracelsus wrote in the 16th century that every plant has physical characteristics corresponding to its virtues, making it beneficial for human use. Humanity has recognized the power of plant medicine for thousands of years. Recently, the ancient practices of herbal remedies, adaptogens, and sacred plant rituals have re-emerged into mainstream awareness, free from the labels of witchcraft, Wicca, magic, shamanism, or other pagan terms. Cleansing, smudging, and burning incense are not new concepts and are certainly not evil, as some may believe. Scientific data reveals that burning botanicals can remove up to 94% of airborne bacteria and release negative ions.
As you may recall from biology, our environment is often filled with positive ions from electromagnetic energy caused by cell phones, computers, and modern technology. An excess of positive ions can lead to brain fog, headaches, fatigue, and other health issues. By releasing negative ions into the air, we can counteract the effects of positive ions, which is essential for maintaining optimal health.
As a society, we must embrace the ancient practices of cleansing and smudging, using our intuition for our well-being and the health and frequency of our plant.
List of Botanicals:
White Sage: Clears away excess emotional energy caused by stress, depression, and arguments while promoting mental stability. It is effective for cleansing the air and aura but may not effectively remove harmful spiritual entities.
Mugwort (Black Sage): Used for introspection and inner healing, mugwort is particularly beneficial before sleep or meditation. It is also known to aid in astral projection and shamanic journeying, making it a potent divination plant.
Palo Santo (Holy Wood): A powerful cleanser, Palo Santo uplifts the vibration of any environment. It is especially effective for clearing spirits and spiritual attachments, with strong connections to the upper realms.
Lavender: Known for its relaxing properties, lavender stabilizes the mind and emotions while attracting love and angelic beings. It is also considered a protective plant.
Juniper: This botanical offers protection against black magic, evil spirits, and illness. With purifying qualities, juniper is both ceremonial and medicinal and is one of the oldest recorded plants with many functions.
Rue: A protective herb effective against witchcraft, curses, and the evil eye, rue symbolizes purity but is not intended for honoring a Higher Being.