With the
discovery of fire, early humans discovered that aromatic smoke was
produced by burning dried plants. As herbs, roots, resins and barks are changed
from their physical form, they are changed by the element of fire into smoke,
or spirit world form. It has been thought through the ages that this
transformation is evidence of the spirit within substances. Throughout human
history aromatic plants have been used in the daily activities and cleansing
rituals of people from every culture. The act or ceremony of surrounding
yourself, another person or object with the smoke of a dried plant is called
smudging.
One of the most
ancient and common dried plants used today in cleansing energy is Sage. Sage is
used to 'wash off'’ the outside world when one enters ceremony or other sacred
space. Objects are likewise washed off with sage smoke to rid them of unwanted
influences. The theory behind smudging is that the smoke attaches itself to
negative energy, taking the negative energy with it to be released into another
space to be regenerated. It is very effective when you've been feeling
depressed, angry, resentful or unwell, or after you have had an argument with
someone. It is also great to smudge yourself, the space and all the guests or
participants before a ritual, ceremony or celebration. You can smudge your
home or work space as part of a general spiritual housecleaning and you can
cleanse crystals or other objects of any negative energy as well.
The Open mind center has a wide variety of sage and cleansing tools. Click here for additional information.
