If you like a little discreet witchcraft every now and again, this might just be the guide for you. If you don't, it still might very well be. Because even though smudge sticks are often tied to witchcraft or "heathenish" practices, it's actually a very normal thing to do -- at least, if you're into a good smelling home.
The essence of the stick is very simple: a few dried herbs tied together by wool or other burnable material which is lit up like incense. If you think about it, it's really just that: a glorified incense stick.
But the use for it is more spiritual than an incense stick -- though don't hesitate to use it as one -- because depending on which herbs you put in your little bundle of smoke, there is a whole list of things it'll potentially do for you besides just smell good.
Making a smudge stick yourself makes it more personal and has a better connection to you than when you buy one online -- which isn't to say you can't do that, especially if there’s a herb or plant in it that you yourself don’t have. In fact, it's a good thing to do to support small businesses.
What does it help with?
Smudging has the ability to help us with a range of different things.
Clear away negative or stagnant energy in a space or yourself (i.e. a home you’ve just moved into, a sickroom, a space in which an argument has taken place). It's essentially a spiritual fan that blows away and disperses energy.
Leave old relationships behind and move on to new ones.
Celebrate different times of the year (referring most often to the pagan holidays, the sabbaths and esbats, but definitely usable with every religion).
Wake up and greet the day full of confidence, energy, and hope.
Helps with sleep and dreams, though this also depends on which herbs you use for the stick.
Bathe away stress (again by dispersing bad or less positive energy)
Look for love (very much depending on the herb and also plays into dreams).
Feel more centered and protected.
Useable in spells or rituals (or with praying, if you're in a different belief system. Because believe it or not, smudge sticks are also often used in religions like christianity etc. All that changes from one religion to the next is the use of a different name.).
Likewise, many cultures and religious structures believe the smoke of burning plants carry prayers to the heavens. Smudging is a practice which involves the burning of herbs that are bundled, braided, or loose (for our purposes today we are taking about bundling, creating smudge sticks). But no matter if the herbs are bundled, braided, or loose…the process for smudging remains the same — smoke is fanned across the body or around a space for its intended purpose, i.e. cleansing or healing.
Making the smudge stick
Materials Needed:
Dried Herbs: Choose a combination of herbs based on your intentions. Common herbs include sage, lavender, rosemary, cedar, and mugwort. Each herb has unique properties, so consider your goals when selecting them. Click here to skip to the part where we explain different qualities of different herbs.
Cotton String or Hemp Cord: Make sure it's natural and untreated. This is more so for safety, you don't want to burn plastic cord because it can be toxic and has the potential to seriously burn you if it falls onto your hand.
Scissors or Pruners: To cut the herbs to the desired length.
Bowl or Plate: For bundling the smudge stick.
Feathers: Optional, for wafting the smoke during smudging.
Steps:
Harvest and Dry the Herbs:
Harvest your herbs during the appropriate season or obtain them from a reliable source.
Bundle the herbs together and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place to dry. This may take a few weeks. Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up a clean space for your work. You might want to light a candle or play soft music to create a peaceful atmosphere, but this is not necessary.
Select and Arrange Herbs:
Choose the herbs you want to include in your smudge stick. Consider the properties of each herb and how they align with your intentions.
Cut the Herbs:
Trim the herbs to a manageable length, usually 5-7 inches.
Bundle the Herbs:
Take a few stems of each herb and bundle them together. Hold the bundle firmly in your hand.
Secure with String:
Starting at the base, tightly wrap the bundle with the cotton string or hemp cord. Work your way up, ensuring the herbs are secure.
Tie a Knot:
Tie a knot at the top to secure the bundle. Leave enough excess string to create a loop for hanging.
Trim Excess:
Trim any excess string with scissors or pruners.
Charge Your Smudge Stick:
(Optional) Hold the smudge stick in your hands and focus on your intentions. You may want to say a prayer, chant, or simply infuse it with positive energy.
Dry the Smudge Stick:
Hang the smudge stick to dry for around three weeks in a cool, dark place. If you don't want to wait that long, use pre-dried herbs instead.
Usage:
When your smudge stick is fully dried, it's ready for use. Light the tip, blow out the flame when the herbs start smoldering and make sure to wait until it will keep smoldering, and use a feather or your hand to guide the smoke around your space, objects, or yourself.
Remember, creating a smudge stick is a personal and sacred practice. Choose herbs that resonate with you and your intentions. Always approach these practices with respect and mindfulness.
What herbs to use
You can use various plants and herbs to make a smudgestick. You can choose herbs because of the purpose it has or because they simply smell good.
Sage (many varieties such as garden sage) — negative energy clearing
Sagebrush — to treat wounds + headaches + cold
Cedar leaf — cleansing + purification
Pine needles — cleansing + purification
Balsam fir — cleansing + purification
Sweetgrass — healing + purification + brings positive energy
Mugwort — lucid dreaming + purification + calming
Juniper — cleansing + purification
Holy basil (tulsi) — purification + calming
Rosemary — protection
Lavender — calming
Mullein — cleansing sickrooms + heals/improves respiratory function
Rose petals — meditation + calming + attracts love
Desert chaparral — negative energy clearing + protection + calm
Peppermint — healing + protection
Yarrow — eliminates toxins from the body
Lemon balm — spiritual cleansing + calm
Of course there are tons of other herbs you can use. Anything you have in your garden that isn’t poisonous is usable, I recommend looking some things up about the herbs first if you don’t really know them that well, though.
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