by Courtney Beck

Today, as in times long ago, more and more people are employing the burning of sage, a process known as smudging, for its wide variety of benefits. Indigenous peoples have employed this process for years, and the modern world is finally catching up and grasping the wisdom of this ancient clearing practice.

From a mental, spiritual, and health perspective, smudging with sage can truly lift the spirit, cleanse the environment, bring mental clarity and enhance our focus.

Here are some of the known benefits of smudging our homes and work spaces with sage.

1. Clears Negative Energy

Have some unwanted spiritual activity in your home? Do things feel 'heavy' or a bit 'off?' It may be time to clear the energy on outta there. Our homes are our sacred space. We want them to feel as light and vibrant as possible. It's essential to keep the vibration of our homes high so that we can manifest the best scenarios in every area of our lives. A good smudging will help to clear that energy and brighten up the vibration immensely.

You may also want to sage your Tarot and Oracle decks after use, as well as other spiritual tools you use. The smoke from burning sage attaches to negative energy and carries it away.

Just be sure to open the windows afterward so that nasty energy can escape!

2. Nature's Antidepressant

Smudging with sage can quickly shift your mood from feeling icky to one of enhanced well being. I'm burning sage right now. After a morning filled with turmoil, I felt off and just couldn't shake it. I lit my sage bundle, gave my space a good smudging, opened the windows, and immediately felt the vibration shift. I felt an enormous wave of relief wash over me. It draws in angelic activity, too. Pretty cool, huh?

3. Promotes Mindfulness, Clarity and Focus

Struggling to study? Need to focus but can't? Burning sage can improve our focus and bring us into the present moment. We all have so much going on in our lives. Our attention is often divided and rarely in the blissful present moment. The scent of sage burning can bring us back to inner stillness and well being. Beautiful.

4. Promotes a Relaxed Atmosphere

Need to unwind? Feeling frazzled? Give your space a good smudging and you'll begin to feel more relaxed and peaceful. Aromatherapy works...and the fragrance is heavenly! Just give it a try.

5. Eliminates Airborne Bacteria

Research has shown that burning sage in a room for an hour kills 94% of airborne bacteria. Purifying the air in our homes is plenty of reason to smudge with sage. We want our families to be healthy. If we can eliminate bacteria and prevent illness in a holistic manner, it's absolutely worth giving it a go!

So, When Should You Smudge with Sage?

1. When someone in your household has been physically ill or depressed

2. After an argument

3. To help you release any outside energy you may be holding onto

4. To clear the energy of a new home

5. To clear Oracle cards or Tarot decks, crystals or other sacred spiritual tools

6. To clear unwanted spiritual activity

Have you ever tried smudging with sage?

Let me know in the comments.

​© 2020 by Courtney Beck. All Rights Reserved.