Smudging or "smoking" is a form of purification among the Native Americans. Typically white sage is used, but oftentimes other herbs are used as well, such as sweat grass and cedar. Many commercial smudge sticks come in a combination of wrapped herbs like sage/cedar together.

Once lit, the smoke from the smudge wand (or sage pieces if using a smudge pot), is used to cover the body or things ( scared objects: pipes, feathers, flutes, dance regalia, etc.) needing cleansed and purified.

It is typical to use cupped hands to gather the smoke and then smooth it over the "ethnic" body (the aura). Also, feather fans are used assist in the smoke being spread over entire body or object.

Smudge pots can be various items: clay pots, iron holders, or the most common abalone shells.

Smudging is viewed as a form of prayer, a great connection to Spirit. Asking of a blessing, of a protection.

It is also very typical to smudge a house or car. When negative things have happened or have unwanted negative entities in your home. It is a good way to "clean the slate" and give it a fresh clean feeling. It helps to dissipate the energy and allow us to start somewhat fresh.

While smudging you can say a prayer to say while speaking with Spirit. Feel free to use it, knowing that once a story or prayer is given to someone it is theirs, use this giving credit to Tina Michelle who is the author of this Native American Prayer.

Grandfather

When I think of the Great Spirit,

of the Holy One,

I think of the gentle love of a Grandfather.

So, I ask you, Grandfather,

to hear my prayers.

Bless my feet, Grandfather, so they may walk a good path.

Bless my knees, that they might be humble in prayer.

Bless my stomach, so I may never go hungry.

Bless my heart so I will always act with love.

Bless my arms that I may carry the burdens of my loved ones.

Bless my hands that they bring about the only good things.

Bless my shoulders that they may carry the weight of my deeds.

Bless my throat that I may speak in kindness.

Bless my eyes so I can see beyond the horizon.

Bless my mind so that I can be open and forgiving.

Grandfather, thank you for all these blessings.

It is good!

Ah-ho.

Don't know where these quotes originated. most sent via email. Many thanks to the original author(s).

"According to what we have been taught, certain plants have entered into a sacred agreement with us two-leggeds: in exchange for our respectful treatment of them, they will give up their lives so that we can have their purifying smoke to cleanse with and to pray with, so that we might stay in balance and keep our walk sacred. This means we are to pick the plants with honor, asking permission and giving thanks, taking only what we need and not damaging the plant. "

"You can use the following smudging ceremony in manner, or you may create a way that is right to you. No one way is right or wrong. Place the abalone shell in front of you and thank it, aloud or silently, for the life that created it and for helping you in this ceremony. Place the herb(s) that you will be using in the shell, thanking each as you hold it. They have died so that you could have this smoke. That should not inspire guilt, but rather gratitude for the sacrifice. One day you will give your body for other beings of the Earth.

Next, light the smudge mix. As you bring forth the flame, thank Father Sun, from where all fires arise, and also thank the spirit of Fire for coming to help you with this ceremony. Make sure that some of each plant that you have put in the bowl gets lit. That way the smoke will contain all the energies you have chosen to work with. Fan the fire gently with your feather until the herbs are burning enough to create sufficient smoke. Then use the feather to put out the fire, with one or two quick passes. If the smudge looks like it is going out, fan it vigorously until it is smoking again. If it does go out, it is fine to relight it.

Now, using both your hands as a cup, catch some smoke and bring it into your heart. Catch more smoke and pass it over your head and down your neck. Then with each hand, one at a time, pass the smoke along your opposite arm and hand. Then, using both hands, bring more smoke into your navel and down your legs to the ground. This process cleanses our hearts, minds and bodies and helps us to be grounded. While doing this, it is good to see the smoke carry away any cares or physical injuries.

You can now smudge any objects that you might want to by passing them through the smoke from the four directions, starting with the East. Ask that the object be cleansed for your use or giveaway. If you are smudging with other people, smudge yourself first and then hold the shell by its edges for the others to smudge. You can also smudge a house or room that needs cleansing. Go around the room with the burning smudge, and using your feather, push any negative energies out through an open door or window. When you are done, let the ashes cool and give them back to the Earth with care. They are now going to be soil from which new life arises, so show respect for this part of the ceremony also, and empty the ashes thoughtfully, again thanking the herbs and the fire.

Many people smudge before any other ceremony, to start the day, or before and after a serious discussion. For us, this is a very real ceremony. After doing it, we feel better, our energy feels lighter, and so the day goes better. And it is good to cleanse your house occasionally to clear out any stagnant energy. Above all, realize that with ceremony it is the sacred intent of two-leggeds which opens the door for these powers to work with us.

The power of sage is the power to drive away negative energies. California (broad leaves) and desert (smaller leaves) sage are used interchangeably, or sometimes even together, but usually people prefer one or the other.

Sweet grass has the power to call in positive energies. Its sweet smell helps make us and our objects sweet to spirit. It is sometimes called the hair of the Earth Mother and is braided in the field, with love, before it is harvested.

The evergreens -- cedar, juniper and pinion pine -- provide balance and harmony.

Lavender has a calming and relaxing influence.

Rose petals call in the power of the heart.

Author Unknown Too Me.

BASIC STEPS TO PERFORM A SMUDGING RITUAL.

Needed: Sage, sweet grass, cedar, or tobacco, singly or in combination, or other herbs; a shell or a natural-made bowl (clay, pottery); a feather or fan; matches; sand or fine soil.

1. Mix together the plants you will be using, placing them in a shell or sturdy bowl, and light them. Some mixtures of herbs do not stay lit well. You may need to put a charcoal briquette in the bowl first. Before lighting either the charcoal or herbs, make sure there is some soil or sand in the bottom of the bowl or shell. This will keep it from being too hot to hold.

2. When the herbs are lit, use a fan or feather from a domestically raised bird* (chicken, turkey, pheasant or duck) to fan out the flame. Throughout the ceremony you will need to fan the herbs to keep them smoldering.

*Non-Indians are not permitted to possess eagle feathers.

3. Once the herbs are smoldering, draw the smoke (not the bowl, just the smoke) to your heart, then over your head, down your arms, and down the front of your body. Now move the smoke over the back of your body toward the ground. If you need special balancing or healing in some part of your body, you can emphasize by pulling the smoke to the area.

4. It is your responsibility to cleanse your own energy field. The plants help. They do not do it for you.

5. Next, offer smoke to the six directions: up to the Creator, down to the Earth, and then to the north, east, south and west, in that order.

6. After you have smudged yourself and offered the smudge, you can hold the bowl while others smudge themselves, or you may smudge them. They should draw the smoke to themselves, first to the heart, over the head, down the arms, down the chest, and down the back.

7. You may now walk around the area you will be using, wafting the smoke as you go. If you are inside, smudge around the walls of the room, paying particular attention to the corners.

8. Smudge any medicine tools you will be using during ceremonies.

You can incorporate this Smudging Ceremony and make it your own to suit your cleansing needs at the time. Make the adjustments for use to do a space clearing and cleansing for getting rid of negative entities that are disruptive in your home and too your family.

For further information please visit the G.A.P.S Discussion Forum At: http://gaps.net.au

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