"A smudge stick is a bundle of dried herbs, most commonly white sage. Often other herbs or plants are used or added and the leaves are usually bound with string in a small bundle and dried. Some other herbs and spices that are often used include cilantro, cedar, lavender, and mugwort, none of which are native to the Americas. They have a strong, pleasant aroma when burnt"......widipedia.com
"Using a smudging tool is part of many Native American traditions. The burning of herbs for emotional, psychic, and spiritual purification is also common practice among many religious, healing, and spiritual groups. The ritual of smudging can be defined as "spiritual house cleaning." In theory, the smoke attaches itself to negative energy and as the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy".....about.com
This same ritual of *smudging* is also used to bathe the body which is the "house" of your soul.
At the North Bay Clan Pow Wow....each morning a group would come around to each vendor tent and offer to *smudge* not only our items, but also ourselves. To banish "old, negative energies and invite good, healthy and positive energies" to start the day.
Many years ago, I started burning Sage Incense (one of my favorite scents) in the room where I store my Baskets and Wall Art....more as a way to freshen them before a Craft Show or Pow Wow. Since learning that I was actually "cleaning out the negative spirits and inviting good Karma/positive energies".... this year I have been using authenic Sage and Sweet Grass smudge sticks once I found a good supplier like KickingBear.
PineWeaver
4/10/09 |
