Sage has a divine, pure and simple aroma.
Historically sage has been used for healing by many cultures, in particular native Americans and other indigenous peoples as well as ancient Egyptians & Romans.
It is believed to assist with digestive issues, memory and sore throats.
It is used as part of a spiritual ritual to cleanse a person or a space as well as to promote healing and wisdom, also known as energetic cleansing or smudging.
Particular circumstances where energetic cleansing of your person or space is useful is if you have many interactions during the day such as handshaking, massaging or embracing or where you have lots of people gather in your space, such as in a retail store. At other times, you may need to clear your mind of thoughts that are not useful to you or the energy of a conflict or unpleasant memory. Some people also believe that it may clear a space of the energy of unwanted spirits.
Energetic cleansing can be performed as simply or elaborately as you wish, but ususally involves burning sage in some form. Sage is effective on several levels firstly by clearing the bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that burning sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. When sage is burned, it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into a positive mood. The Latin word for sage “salvia” stems form the word heal. Other qualities believed to be associated with sage when burned are giving wisdom, clarity, and increasing spiritual awareness.
Many people use a sage smudge stick, which is lit and then blown out so only an ember remains smoking and carried from space to space, often vocalising a mantra, prayer or intention. Make sure you carry a flameproof bowl to catch the embers. Sage has a strong smell and it is important to open doors and windows to allow the smell, along with the negative energy to dissipate and leave the space. Ensure that you obtain good quality smudge stick preferably made using California White Sage.
If you find the smoke of the sage in its purest form is too strong, an alternative is to burn a sage candle. Benefits of this method include that, provided it is safe to do so, the candle can remain burning for a longer period than a smudge stick, which requires to be held at all times. The method remains the same, however the smell will be milder and more pleasant.
Example of some simple intentions that you could use whilst smudging are:
“I cleanse this room/space of all it’s impurities, negativity and energy that does not support the people that work/live here”
Or
“I light this candle and intend to clear this space of any negativity or energy that is not
serving me. I make way for the goodness that the universe intends for me
You can be as general or specific as you like, the most important thing is to have the mindful intention
To keep the energy in your space clean and positive, also consider our reed diffuser & room spray.