Smudging 101: Sage, Palo Santo & More
Smudging is an ancient sacred ritual that uses the smoke from burned herbs or wood to cleanse negative energy, purify spaces, and elevate spiritual practices. Practiced by many Indigenous cultures around the world, smudging has been adopted as a modern energy-clearing ritual with deep roots in spiritual connection and mindfulness.
In this guide, you’ll learn the best times to smudge, how to use smudging tools like sage and palo santo, what movements to perform during a smudging ritual, and which smudging tools work best for different intentions.
⏰ When to Smudge
Smudging can be done daily, weekly, or during specific energetic events. Here are some of the best times:
Before meditation, prayer, or yoga – to focus the mind and set intention.
After a conflict or emotional event – to clear stagnant or negative energy.
When moving into a new home or space – to cleanse previous energetic imprints.
After being around draining people or environments – to reset your energy.
During full moons, new moons, or spiritual rituals – to align with natural cycles.
When setting intentions, goals, or manifestations – to empower your space.
🧘♀️ How to Smudge Properly
Smudging is both symbolic and energetic. Here’s a step-by-step process to perform it mindfully and effectively:
🌀 Step-by-Step Smudging Ritual:
Set Your Intention
Before lighting anything, take a deep breath and clearly state your intention. What are you clearing? What are you calling in?Choose Your Smudge
White Sage: Traditional cleansing, powerful energy clearer
Palo Santo: Gentle, sweet-scented wood for emotional healing and light energy
Cedar: Grounding and protective
Sweetgrass: Invites blessings and positive energy
Mugwort: Enhances intuition and dreamwork
Light Your Smudge Stick or Wood
Let it catch fire, then gently blow it out so it smolders and produces steady smoke.Use a Fireproof Container
Hold a heat-safe bowl (like a shell, clay dish, or ceramic plate) beneath the smudge to catch ash and avoid accidents.Begin Smudging Movements
Use a feather or your hand to gently waft the smoke around the space or body.
🧭 Smudging Movements: What to Do and Why
The movement of the smoke helps guide the energy. Here's how to perform it properly:
🏠 Space Clearing:
Start at the front door.
Move clockwise through the space.
Waft smoke into corners, closets, under furniture, and around mirrors or tech devices.
Repeat your intention mentally or aloud.
Keep windows or doors cracked open to allow old energy to exit.
🙋♀️ Aura & Body Cleansing:
Stand with your smudge tool and let the smoke drift around you.
Begin at the feet and move upward in spiraling or sweeping motions.
Focus on the chakras: root, sacral, heart, throat, third eye, and crown.
Waft smoke around the back, shoulders, and head—areas that tend to carry stress or psychic debris.
🌿 What Each Smudging Tool Works For
White Sage
Powerful and traditional, white sage is ideal for deep energetic cleansing, especially after arguments, illness, or heavy energy. Use it sparingly and respectfully due to its sacred cultural roots.
Palo Santo
This aromatic wood helps to raise vibration, calm the mind, and bring emotional peace. It’s great for everyday use, especially in morning routines or emotional resets.
Cedar
Known for its protective and grounding qualities, cedar is perfect for clearing homes and establishing a shielded spiritual space.
Sweetgrass
Rather than removing energy, sweetgrass is used to invite in good spirits, blessings, and positive energy. Use it after a clearing to refill the space with high vibes.
Mugwort
Used often in intuition rituals, mugwort helps open the third eye and enhance dreams. Best used before bed, journaling, or during divination practices.
🪶 Final Thoughts
Smudging is a sacred, intentional way to shift energy and reclaim spiritual clarity. Whether you're burning sage to release negativity, palo santo to welcome peace, or sweetgrass to call in blessings, the smoke becomes a messenger—carrying your intention into the ether.
Approach smudging with mindfulness, respect the traditions it comes from, and remember: the most powerful part of any ritual is your intention.
