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Sage is on the plant family Salvia.
The Latin words Salvus, Salūs and Salvēre have relation to the Salvia.
Salvus means; safe, secure and healthy
Salūs means; health, well being, prosperity
Salvēre means; to feel healthy, to heal.
The meaning of these Latin words are not surprising given that there has been studies that back sage health benefits.
One study found that the medicinal smoke from a smudge stick, has the ability to clear the air of 94% of harmful bacteria in a room.
Ancient tribes, Native tribes and Indigenous tribes have been using sage for centuries.
In spiritual ceremonies, burning white sage and other herbs is all a part of the ritual.
Burning white sage was and is used as a way of connecting to the spirit of the plant and asking the spirit of the sage to lend its cleansing and protective energy into your space, body, energy. It is also said that ancient tribes use sage to treat digestive issues, memory problems, and sore throats.
When to smudge
Moving into a new home or office space
Before and after meditation practice
After an argument
After illness
After a break up
Blessing a room or space
Create a protective energy shield around your home
When you’re wanting to feel more connected to source
After purchasing second hand furniture
Cleansing crystals
Smudging will help cleanse and clear negative influences and energy, stuck emotions and thoughts, helps to bring calm and clarity, boost your mood, clean the air.
How to sage
Decide whether you’d like to use a smudge stick or loose leaf sage.
Loose leaf sage is burned in special bowl or an abalone shell.
Smudge sticks typically consist of white sage but sometimes other healing herbs have been combined and are tied in a nice bundle.
Have a bowl of sand so you can put out the smudge stick when you are finished.
To purify yourself with sage
Light the sage by holding the flame to it until it begins to smoke. If a flame happens to appear, gently blow out the flame.
Now that the sage has smoke, direct the smoke with your hand or feather over your body. Begin at your feet and go up to your head and back down.
While you do this, visualise the smoke taking away any negative energy or stuck emotions.
Take a moment to be still and present.
If you have a favourite mantra or affirmation that you like to use, repeat this until you feel it is time to stop.
When you intuitively feel like you are finished, you can allow the smudge stick to finish burning or gently rub it into some sand.
To purify a room
Be sure to have windows open.
Light the sage by holding the flame to it until it begins to smoke. If a flames happens to appear, gently blow out the flame.
Starting at your front door of your home, begin to move around your home in a clockwise direction. Be sure to allow the smoke to drift into all areas of your home especially corners.
If you have stairs, do the lower level first and then go up the stairs and continue in clockwise direction until you meet the stairs again to go down.
You may have a mantra or affirmation that feels right for you, say it as you walk around.
When you arrive back at your front door, visualise your home filled with a beautiful bright white light, say your mantra or affirmation one last time and gently rub the sage into the sand.
Written by Katie