I am not joking when I tell you that last week I smudged the ever living shit out of my house. I smudged the house, I smudged the dogs, I smudged my son, I smudged every electronic, I smudged myself, and I smudged my husband on the deck before he could step one foot into the house when he got home from work. I was not fucking around.

If you’re feeling negativity, sometimes a good smudging is all you need. So, if you don’t know where to find a smudging stick, you can easily make your own. Here’s how.

What You Need

1. Scissors
2. Herbs of choice
3. Cotton bakers twine

What To Do

1. Trim your herbs to length, make sure you save the stems because they can be used in your smudge stick as well. Layer the herbs in a small bundle and trim any excess.

2. Take a small piece of string and firmly tie around the bottom of the bundle, this will make it easier to wrap. Begin wrapping the herbs firmly from the bottom to the top. Remember that as they dry, the herbs will shrink, so be sure to wrap them even a little tighter than you think you should.

3. Repeat, going in the opposite direction down the stick and back up again until everything is firmly held in place. Secure the string at the top with a smaller piece and trim the excess. Set in a cool, dry place and let dry for at least two weeks.

How To Use

1. Light your smudge stick with a candle as it may take a little time to start smoking.

2. Once the stick has a flame at the top, blow out the flame so that it’s smouldering. Start in the centre of your space and move in a counter-clockwise motion, leaving a door or window open so the negative energy can escape. Be sure to get every corner of the room and think positive thoughts. I also like to seal every doorway by outlining it with smoke. When I’m done, I put the smudge stick out in a bowl, I take the ashes outside and I return them to the earth where they came from. I also say a thank you to the universe. Put your smudge stick somewhere dry so you can use it again next time.

Smudging Herbs

1. White Sage- ceremonial smudge plant. It can change the mood and energy of a room. It’s also used for meditation, cleansing, and purification.

2. Juniper- burned for ritual purification and to invigorate the mind and body when tired.

3. Lavender- used for cleansing, psychic protection, increasing clairvoyance, creating the energy of happiness and healing, purification and tranquility.

4. Mugwort- used traditionally to cleanse energies and get rid of negativity. Mugwort also has a reputation for stimulating dreams so a lot of people burn it before bedtime.

5. Cedar- use it to drive out negative energy, bring in good influences, and even to bless a new house when people are moving in.

6. Rosemary- this herb is a powerful cleanser for your home and your own aura. It’s associated with fire, the sun, and masculine energy.

7. Palo Santo- purifies the spirit and clears negative energy. Known to inspire creative energy, bring a deeper connection to the divine source, and helps aid in physical healing.

Sometimes we all carry around some negativity with us. When I feel bogged down with bullshit, I always smudge. Some days it’s just a quick one, and sometimes I take my time and really do it. I always feel so much better after it’s done though. Remember, as you’re smudging, think loving and peaceful thoughts. Expel all of your negativity into that smudge smoke and literally watch it float out the window.

xo S