Sacred Smoke

Almost 10 years ago, my family moved into an old country house with a long history. Unfortunately, that history included some bad karma from old conflicts linked to the previous owners. It resulted in a random but serious act of vandalism on the property just before we moved in.

We were devastated. We had innocently and unknowingly inherited the consequences of other people’s bad actions. The question was: how could we divest ourselves from the residual energy of past events? All we wanted was to feel happy and comfortable in our new home, not fearful or uneasy.

The answer, as it turned out, was smudging.
Friends of ours with Indigenous heritage recommended we cleanse our space by burning a sage bundle to clear any lingering negativity. They suggested we move through each room, wafting smoke and repeating a mantra, which would set a fresh intention for our new life there.

The experience was soothing, and left us feeling lighter, relieved of a burden. Once ignited, the glowing embers of dried sage gently smouldered and pungent smoke curled into the air, floating from room to room. It was peaceful, yet powerful.

Smudge cleanses and smoke-bathing ceremonies have been a spiritual practice for centuries in many ancient cultures around the world, but burning sage bundles is a tradition distinct to North American Indigenous tribes. Botanical bundles are now available for those wishing to engage in sacred smudging rituals of their own. Made with sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and other regional flora, they are handcrafted through Monague, a Canadian First Nation-owned business in British Columbia.

Each bundle is blended with unique herbal combinations to create an aromatic experience suited to your ceremony or practice: Sage with Lavender, Sage with Rose Petals, and Sage with Lavender Strawflower. In addition to clearing old energy, the act of smudging can also prepare a space for its next purpose. Sage can be burned before meditation or therapeutic activity; it can be used to cleanse the mental palate prior to engaging in creative work. Some burn sage during particular lunar phases, to align with the beginning cycles of a new moon or endings at a full moon.

Occasions for smudging:

• At a wedding or other meaningful ceremony
• When moving into a new home, office, or creative space
• Before or after hosting guests
• Following an argument, illness, or period of stress
• On days of spiritual significance

Botanical Sacred Smudge Bundles are available in Small and Large sizes. Each bundle includes a quartz crystal and smudging directions printed on wildflower seed paper for planting.

https://www.westporttradingpost.com/products/botanical-smudge-bundles

Feathers are often included when smudging a space, to fan the sacred smoke and help manifest energy. It is believed that feathers carry your intentions to the sky. A collection of smudging feathers has been crafted by Monague with different colours and themes to ground your smudging practice: Acceptance, Ancestry, Courage, Reflection, and Wisdom. Each quill has been dye-dipped and paired with colourful accents and dotted guinea feathers, bound at the bottom with suede.

When smudging, choose your intention, and use the feather to distribute sacred smoke from the sage bundle evenly throughout your space. Feathers are approximately 10-11” long. Themes and colours available: Ancestry (Brown), Courage (Orange), Wisdom (Green), Reflection (Blue), Acceptance (Purple).

https://www.westporttradingpost.com/products/large-smudging-feather Monague is proud to be a 100% First Nation-owned company. All products are handcrafted in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Canada.

An important note from Indigenous Crafters: Smudging is a sacred practice and should be done with respect, reverence, and gratitude.

Smudging Prayer:

May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things.

May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be.

May your heart be cleansed, that you might hear its messages clearly.

May your throat be cleansed, that you might speak rightly when words are needed.

May your eyes be cleansed, that your vision captures the signs and wonders of the world.

May this space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants.

And may that same smoke carry our prayers spiralling to the heavens.