Three types of Smudges I choose (Palo Santo, Sage and Sweetgrass)

First here is how to smudge, below I will describe the different smudges. 

Smudging can be done anytime, as a good rule smudge thoroughly four times a year when the seasons change.  I personally light smudge sticks after an argument, bad news or if I am feeling down, and it helps tremendously removing any negative energy.

Light a candle, close your eyes and visualize cleansing your home.  This is called setting your intention.  Then light your smudge with the candle.  Wait about 30 seconds until it catches fire, then blow the flame out and let the smudging begin.  Set your stick in your smudge bowl and with both hands bring the smoke to your heart, over your head and down the front and back of your body to cleanse yourself.  Then starting at the front entrance take your burning smudge and shell and move in a clockwise direction around your home or in the area you are cleansing.  Gently wave the smoke into the air as you move with one hand.  Spend time smudging each room, corners and closets as every nook can accumulate negative energy.  Once finished with your home, place your smudge in the abalone and let it burn out on its own.  You can reuse this stick many times.

Scientists have observed that 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.

The smoke from dried sage actually changes the composition of the air, in turn reducing our stress response. ... Burning sage (aka, “smudging” or “sage-ing”) is a ritual used to “cleanse” a space or environment from negative energy, generate wisdom and clarity, and promote healing.

I use three types of smudges - Palo Santo, White Sage and Sweetgrass.  They all perform the same cleansing, and it will be up to you which you prefer.  I keep all three in my home and use whichever I am in the mood for at the time.  You might find you like one more than the others, you decide.

California White Sage

I personally like the White Sage smell, but some can find it overpowering.  It is a good smudge to use in the spring when you can open the windows and doors after the smudging is complete to bring in fresh air.

White sage (Salvia apiana) is a plant native to high desert ecosystems and grows prevalently in California and in the Mountain West. For hundreds of years, white sage has been considered a sacred, cleansing, purifying, and protective plant. ... As a plant, and a living being, sage also has a Spirit.

Palo Santo

Palo Santo has a very unique smell and it much milder than White Sage. Palo Santo has a sweet, subtle and fresh smell with hints of mint and citrus.

Palo Santo, which means “holy wood” or “wood of the saints,” is a fallen wood from a sweet, fragrant tree that grows in South America. It belongs to the citrus family, and is related to both frankincense and myrrh. 

Palo Santo harvesting used to be strictly controlled by law in Peru. Only trees and branches that had fallen naturally were allowed to be harvested.

Palo Santo is tree related to Frankincense, Myrrh and Copal, Palo Santo ("Holy Wood") grows in the coastal regions of South America.

Palo Santo will not burn as long and may have to be relite several times. 

 

Sweetgrass

Sweetgrass grows naturally in the US and has a sweet, long lasting vanilla type fragrance.  It is considered a holy grass and is regarded as sacred.  The Native Americans called it the grass that never dies, as they believe it retained it spirit long after harvest and some believe it was the first plant to cover the earth.

 

Additional Notes:

Sage is said to clear ALL energy, the good and the bad. This is great if you have a plan in place to bring in some positive energy after you do your clearing. If you don’t have a positive energy plan in place, who knows what will take up that freshly cleared space? If you cleanse with sage try having a crystal nearby that can offer up the energy you’re seeking.

 

Palo Santo on the other hand, is said to cleanse negative energy and bring in the good. Win, win.

Sweetgrass is more similar to sage and will clear most energy, good and bad.  It is also good to keep a crystal nearby to provide positive energy.

Black Salt

Homemade Black salt consists of Dead Sea salt, charcoal, burnt sage and Palo Santo wood ashes.

Black salt represents the element of Earth in the new moon and is used for warding, protection, grounding, absorption and barrier enforcement.  It can be used alone or along with other items such as sage or Palo Santo for cleansing.

Important history of White Sage: