Smudging is an activity that has become extremely popular, and is a subject that comes up often in sessions. Using sage to cleanse and purify a space has scientific backing, having shown that this process can remove bacteria from the air for up to 24 hours. Other than that aspect, I am not a big fan of smudging and often advise against it due to the opposing effects that smudging can offer.
People often hear sounds that frighten them, or feel some type of negative energy in their environment, so they smudge for cleansing and protection. But what if Aunt Harriet is unaware that you are trying to rid her from your space and continues her nightly journey of bumping and grinding through the house? (tee hee) The other aspect is that smudging can represent doing battle with the spirit world, which is never a good idea. Taunting a spirit means ‘game on’ in the non-physical dimensions. Lastly I have found that smoke of any kind opens the door to the spirit world and often acts as an invitation.
Burning herbs can release negative ions and lift a person’s mood, but to understand smudging one needs to learn about the aboriginals and the Native Americans. A ceremony using smudging should be treated with reverence and respect, in a way that allows humans and nature to walk together as one. Identifying the need, the purpose, and proper etiquette are essential ingredients to the art of smudging. Now let’s get a whisper from the angels on the subject.
Ceremonious applications of earth elements are long-standing traditions that give honor to spirit and direct energy toward an intentional purpose. Many ceremonies that were developed over years of tribal tradition have moved toward a recreation with potential unintended consequences. Handing down knowledge from one generation to the next offers trained skills, purposeful understanding, and esoteric wisdom. Any traditional ceremony that becomes void of the proper intention and conducted without the necessary knowledge and skills can leak energy.
The idea of protection solicits emotions that can influence any activity. Fear holds a vibration that can solicit a lesson carried out by dark energies. To clear your space with loving intention, you must claim your sovereign authority and hold an impenetrable light. Doing battle with the darkness will guarantee a response that may be less than desirable. If your energy holds negative emotions, you can easily be holding an opening in your energy field. In most cases, it is the human energy that contains the tears or openings into the spirit world. Human traumas are not closed with the use of sage, so any kind of smoke can negatively impact the outcome.
Great discernment is needed to assess the experiences with the spirit world involving portals or openings. A relatively simple process of using sound, music, meditation, prayer, and intention can easily balance the vibrations of your energy and that of the environment. Hand-clapping can disperse the energy of the emotions that have accumulated in your space. Environmental purification can be accomplished in a variety of ways that do not promote spirit communication or further enhance energetic openings. The energy of love is the best source of purification, protection, and peace.
Bring joy, ease suffering and create beauty, then dance like you mean it!
Blessings, Russell
“Alchemy is the process of changing lead into gold. Inner alchemy (personal transformation) occurs when we clear our clutter—internal and external—and let go of things that no longer serve us well. This creates balance and space, a place that nurtures contentment, which I believe is true success.”
― Laurie Buchanan, PhD
