How To Clear Your Space Witchy Poo Style
Six benefits of smudging bad crap out of your life and reclaiming your sacred space
Have you ever had Pepe Le Pew visit your house? I’m not talking stinky per se, but I am talking about the cloud of funk left behind as Pepe bounces out the door.
I’m talking about those visitors who leave you feeling exhausted as if they have just sucked the energetic life out of you? Perhaps they talked all about themselves causing word vomit to dribble down their chins. Or worse, their vibe is toxic just like a wet fart. As soon as they open their mouth, it’s like the negative crap everywhere?
I believe everyone has had this experience when dealing with someone stuck in their stuff.
The use of specialised plant-based smoke has been documented back to prehistoric times by ancient cultures. Its use continues to the present day. It’s got a bit of a woo woo stigma associated with it. But I think it’s fair to say we could all use a bit of good juju in our lives right now — am I right?!
According to the Canadian Encyclopedia — Smudging connects people to their Creator, providing a connection with spiritual protection and blessings. “The smoke created by burning sacred herbs is thought to purify the body and soul, and bring clarity to the mind.”
I smudge my sacred space daily. I smudge it some more between clients, or if we’ve had visitors. I consider my space as sacred because it’s where my body rests and repairs. It’s where I connect to spirit. It’s the place I love myself, my child, and those in my circle of trust. I need that energetic space to be clear and high vibration. I need my space to be free of Pepe Le Pews!
Let me be very clear. We’re not talking smoke like the Christianity Easter church service whereby everyone is left gasping for air. No sir! We’re talking a gentle wafting of smoke with the windows and doors open!
You can use dried sage leaves bound tightly. Lit that sucker up until the external leaves catches alight, then blow out the flame. Allow the smoke to waft over you or in the space you are in. I find that I’ll light my smudge stick in the kitchen where I’ve got a wide burner flame. By the time I’ve reached the doorway entrance, the scent is cast throughout the house.
If the smudging stick is a little intimidating, start small with incense sticks or cones. These can be set alight and have the flame blown out, and then left alone in their correct incense stand to smoke away until there’s nothing left to burn.
A word of the wise — if you like your eyebrows just the way they are, don’t stand too close to the smudging implement when first lighting it! It’s like lighting any strong candle or campfire. use common sense and have water nearby. The scent of burning sage isn’t for everyone so alternatives like nag champa might align better to your personal scent choice.
Here are six benefits of smudging to burn the crap out of your life immediately, regardless of your spiritual or religious beliefs.
1. Rapid Olfactory Response
Smudged smoke offers rapid olfactory (sense of smell) delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Therefore it has an immediate calming effect to the heightened nervous system.
2. Disinfects Airborne Bacteria
Scientists have observed that burning sage can clear up to 94 per cent of airborne bacteria, virus and fungi in space and disinfect the air. When the sage is burned, it releases negative ions. Negative ions have the ability to attract positive ion substances like house dust, pet dander, mould and virus.
So smudging is fantastic for those with respiratory ailments AFTER the smoke has cleared!
Natural Mentor quoted a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrated that the smoke from burning sage (what the authors of the study call “medicinal smoke”) is able “to completely eliminate diverse plant and human pathogenic bacteria of the air within confined space.”
3. Repels Insects
Due to its microbial features of the plant, smudging with sage, even in the form of incense sticks can repel insects such as mosquitoes. This way you can have a small amount of sage burning and leave windows and doors open to allow fresh air inside your home.
4. Release of negativity
The use of smudging can be excellent for spirituality practices whereby you clear your space after addressing emotions of past traumas, bad experiences, or negative encounters from others.
This may help you establish a positive environment for meditation or another ritual. Choosing to sit and let go of negative thoughts in a ritual like this sets your intention and dedication to self-improvement. Choosing to engage in ritual can be the beginning of your change in mindset.
5. Stress soother
According to a Healthline article, a 2016 research project for the University of Mississippi established that white sage (Salvia apiana) is rich in compounds that activate certain receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for elevating mood levels, reducing stress, and even alleviating pain through stimulation of cannabinoid and opioid neuro-receptors.
6. Space Re-Claimer
Smudging is a form of conscious space claiming. I use the following affirmation to set my intention as I smudge.
“This is my space. It is sacred to me. It is my intention that no one and nothing can enter my space unless I give them permission on a conscious level.”
Final notes
Hopefully, you may try to smudge with a little sage after reading this. However, the most critical thing I’d love to inspire you with is the notion that you reclaim your sacred space and keep it energetically clean!
Karen Humphries is a Kinesiology Practitioner, Health & Business Coach, self-confessed laughaholic, and now Breast Cancer Advocate residing in Gippsland Victoria Australia. She loves being of service to the world with her humorous and positive approach to life, encouraging people to ‘choose to change and bloom from within.’ Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.
