Sacred Sage Smudge

While each Indigenous nation has its own unique smudging traditions, they often share similar teachings. All smudging ceremonies involve a vessel—like a container, shell, smudge stick, or ball—to hold the medicinal herbs. When burned in small amounts, the herbs create smoke believed to have healing properties and to carry prayers to the Creator. The smoke is gently wafted over the face and body of the person being smudged, using a feather (ideally an eagle feather) or by hand, with the person guiding the smoke toward themselves and inhaling it.  When smudging a room or space, the smoke is moved around the area as prayers are said for negative energy to leave and positive energy to stay. The ashes from the herbs aren’t thrown away in regular trash but placed on the earth, symbolizing the removal of negativity from our lives.  Smudging is often led by an elder or spiritual leader, such as a shaman, but anyone can perform it when they feel called, especially during prayer.