How to use a Smudge

There are a few methods of smudging.

• Make a bundle of your chosen plant about 1 - 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 4 - 8 inches long. Wrap it snugly with a non synthetic twine, cotton or jute is good, and not too thick a twine. Space the wraps about an inch or so apart. You don't want too much, it's the plant you want to burn. A good method is to take a good length of twine at the middle and start wrapping at one end of the bundle, down to the other. Then you will have an equal length to wrap the length of the bundle again and the ends will be together, ready to be tied off.

  Sage is a good one for this method. It can be harvested in places like Osoyoos. Remember to thank the spirit of the plant and to leave an offering such as a pinch of tobacco. Once your smudge stick has dried (let it sit for a week or so) it is ready to use. Light one end of it and softly wave it back and forth around the person, place or object you wish to cleanse. Remember to pay attention, focus and be grateful. A large shell or a special dish is nice to use for the ashes and to gently put out your smudge stick. This is a great project to do with kids.

• Sweetgrass braids can be burned in a similar manner. Sweet grass can be found in many places all over B.C. and is easily found in the Kootenays. You may need to find someone who can identify it you don't know how.
• Things like loose sage leaves, dried cedar, dried juniper greens and other fragrant herbs (in Central and South America tree resins are often used) can be burned on a small pile of coals from a fire or a self igniting incense charcoal. Very dry plants can just be lit with a match, and the flames fanned out. The plant will then smoulder and smoke.
• Smudges can also now be bought in a variety of places, health food, import, metaphysical and new age stores. Even in buying them, say a thank you.

As always, with flame and smoke be safety aware, if anyone has asthma it is best to smudge outside.