Smudge - The Basics

The basics of smudging, from the Pima guy. A little background.

I’m Pima Indian, we are descendants of the HoHoKam. Basically I was taught that the HoHoKam came from the stars and when they were ready, they went back to the stars. We’ve existed here in the Gila River valley for thousands of years. I learned from my grandfather how to be an Indian and how to be a healer. 

The Key To Smudging

Here’s the big key on smudging. Know that there is no one specific way to smudge.

Every tribe and every person is different. So key for you to understand, is that you are a sovereign being and you will make your own smudging routine specific to what you want and need. No other Human should ever tell you that you are doing it wrong. There really isn’t any way to “wrong” when you're doing positive. Some people will say that you can do something positive and it winds up being wrong. I disagree, it was wrong from the start, you just fooled yourself into thinking it was positive. 

The Basics

Here’s the basics from my perspective.

Like I said, everyone, every Native and every non-Native has their own way and there isn’t one single right way to do it. Its like kissing, well, kissing a person you like. It doesn’t matter how you kiss, it’s love. Wet, sloppy, hard, soft, long, short, tongue, half a tongue, all the tongue, eye’s open, eye’s closed, you get the idea, as long as it is for positive, you're good. There are some controversies and I’ll go over those. 

This is how I teach and what I believe.

You’ll need your smudge, lighter and a bowl for the ash. Some type of bowl that won’t burn, not plastic! Always start by facing North. North is the grounding center of Mother  Earth and the center or 23 degrees off the center rotation of Mother Earth. Most people either cleans a space, they're home, personal items and yourself. So I will use a space/home as our example.

Get in the most center and lowest point of your home. Be sure to open a window or two and a door that opens outside if you can. This will allow the negative energy to have a way to leave. Remember, energy never goes away, it moves or changes. Deep breaths before you start, clear your mind and ready yourself for the task. 

Controversy

Smudge is not like incense, it must have airflow and here lies the next controversy. Do you blow on it or not.

 Many Indians say that blowing on a smudge is wrong and it should not be done. That’s OK, everyone has their beliefs and ways. I don’t feel this is wrong. Here’s why.

Your breath is the life force of you and the connection between you and the spiritual. Taking a breath is more than just taking in oxygen, it is the drawing in of Chi, life force. When you breath out, it is the release of negative and toxins of your life force. I believe that this is why some think that blowing on a smudge is bad. I believe that the smudge is built and designed to take that negative air, those toxins and through science (I’ll talk about this later), convert to positive. Thus, I believe that blowing on a smudge stick not only increases the effectiveness of the smudge, you are also ridding your world of the negative that comes out of you. You can always use a smudge fan too…

How to Light

So you will either blow your breath over the lit embers or use a smudge fan. It won’t stay lit for long unless it has airflow. The best way to light your smudge, is with a lighter (torch type is best). Hold your smudge upright and put a 45 degree angle to it and put the flame to the tip. Burn a few seconds, stop the flame and blow a long, firm, breathe on the red hot spot. Make the smudge glow red hot and smoke. Note; if there is heavy negative energy, the smudge will be difficult to light. Light and blow till you have embers glowing or use your hand or a feather wand to wave air onto the smudge. Smudge is not like incense, you must give it air to burn. Now you're ready. 

The Opening Prayer

I start with my prayer, its is a prayer that I made for my own personal reasons. You don’t need a payer, you can just go forward and start smudging, either way, you’ve started your fight to get rid of the negative.

Here is my prayer that I say as I prepare to smudge, you’ll have to blow or fan your smudge as you say the prayer so that it does’t go out. If it does, just light it again:

 

 Like I said, there are several reasons why this is my prayer. You can make your own or just use my prayer or what ever parts you want.

Smudging

Once you’er done with your prayer, start by smudging yourself from your feet, legs and through the 7 chakras of your body. Remove the negative energy. Chant as you smudge yourself, here’s the chant I use and remember to say it with a firm tone and breath.

You are a sovereign being and you decide if you want negative and any negative entity has to follow what you want for yourself.

After you’ve smudged and cleared each chakra, is vital to smudge your throat and breath in some of the smoke so that you will speak without negativity. Smudge each ear, so you hear without negativity. Smudge your eyes, so you see without negativity and the the space above your crown chakra so that you clear your ability to connect to your higher self.

Once you’re done with your body, time to hit the space. Start to smudge in a clockwise circle. Hit all the corners, dark spaces, voids and major items. Either blow or fan the smoke into your environment. Say our chant. I do it for each individual void, space, piece of furniture. The negative must know that you have decided in our spirt and life, that it can not be with you, it must leave. Finish the room you’re in and then go the the next room and then the next floor if you have one.

Make sure you smudge all closets and closed areas. Even inside cabinets if you can. Negative energy will run and hide in dark, closed stagnant energy areas (Fengshui is important) or leave via the open window or door. 

You can chant the same you did when you started. Smudge all areas, especially corners and up heigh. When you are done, use the bowl and lightly press the smudge on the bottom of your bowl to put it out. Place the bowl and smudge in an area where it can be protected from a breeze so it will go out. Make sure it is an area in direct sun light. That sunlight is a bitch to negative energy…

That’s the basics. Let me know what questions you have.