reuniting spirit with the physical world
Help Yourself
"Help Yourself" is a resource for people who would like information about intuitive work, shamanism, ceremonies, and other interesting stuff. Enjoy!
The Smudging Ceremony
Caution: sage should not ingested by or burned near pregnant women
The smudging ceremony uses plant medicines to cleanse and bless you and your belongings.
Start with lighting the medicine chosen - it’s best to use matches instead of a lighter. Remember to use a fan or feather to fan the fire – don’t blow on medicines or fire if you need to get the smudge going. Fire is medicine in and of itself and blowing on it interferes with its properties.
Gather the smoke towards you and breath it into your being. Introduce yourself to the Creator and spirit helpers (you can say “Creator, grandmothers and grandfathers, and spirit helpers in all the directions, this is ___________.” )
Take the smoke into your hands, bring it up over your head with the prayer
"may my thoughts be the truth".
Continue passing the smoke over other parts of your body, asking:
"may my eyes see the truth
may my lips speak the truth
may my ears hear the truth
may my heart know the truth
may my arms do good work
may my legs walk the sweetgrass path"
If you wish to share this ceremony with someone else, it's best to smudge yourself first.
If you would like to smudge your home or office, start at the top level. Smudge as much of the space as you can, reaching up to the ceiling and down to the floor. Walk clockwise, the same direction as the sun travels.
While cleansing each room, ask that the room be a blessing to all who enter. Cleanse the closets and cupboards. It also helps to go outside and smudge the perimeter of the property.
Give thanks to the Creator, grandmothers and grandfathers, and all the spirit helpers in all the directions for blessing yourself and your home.