What is smudging?
Smudging is an ancient ritual in which sacred plants such as white sage or palo santo are burned to cleanse, protect, and renew the energy of a place, person, or object.
It has been practiced for centuries by various cultures around the world to eliminate negative energy, invite positive energy and release blockages.
Smudging is not only part of an inspiring tradition, but also a powerful way to invite awareness, clarity, and transformation.
How does smudging work?
Burning plants such as white sage or palo santo releases negative ions - particles known to help neutralise stagnant energy, reduce stress, and boost your emotional state.
Smudging is both energetic and a sensory experience:
You see the smoke.
You feel the shift.
You arrive in the now.
White Sage vs. Palo Santo
White sage
Intense, earthy, and above all powerful. It's considered the most powerful cleansing plant. It's said to dispel negative energies and trigger a euphoric effect.
Ideal after a stressful day, during conflicts or to prepare a ritual.
Used when:
- you need a complete energetic reset
- you move into a new house
- you had an argument or were around a lot of people
- you feel depressed, anxious, or in any other unusual way
- you need to concentrate on energy or thoughts
- you want to relax or banish nightmares
Palo Santo
In Spanish, Palo Santo means "holy wood." It is a Peruvian sacred wood with a sweet, woody scent, and a gentler scent than white sage.
Its sweeter scent has a calming, stress-reducing effect. It is also said to eliminate negative energies and create a more positive atmosphere, thus also having a mood-enhancing and inspiring effect.
Used when:
- you are looking for inner peace
- you want to deepen your meditation
- you want to express gratitude or set a new intention
- you want to perform a ceremony or ritual
- you need to concentrate on energy or thoughts
- you move into a new house
Smudging Ritual - Your Guide:
For your body (aura cleansing)
- Set an intention before you begin
- Light your sage or palo santo bundle until a flame appears (20s)
- Gently blow out the flame so that only smoke remains
- Slowly guide the smoke around your body:
- Over the head
- Around the neck, arms, chest and back
- Along legs and feet
- Follow your feeling until you feel "cleansed"
- Breathe deeply. Feel yourself
For your home (room cleaning)
- Set an intention before you begin
- Open the windows so the old energy can escape
- Light your bundle (20s), blow out the flame
- Walk mindfully through the room and distribute the smoke in:
- corners
- door frames & windows
- about mirrors and furniture
- any items you think need cleaning
- For objects or places where the energy is perceived more negatively, stand still for 20-30 seconds and let the smoke work
- Then place the bundle in a fireproof bowl, shell or stone and let it extinguish itself
Please do not use water to extinguish the bundle - this will make it difficult to light it again and will affect the energy.
After the smoke clears
You've now cleared the energy. Now it's time for clarity, creativity, peace, or simply being.
Our incense bundles for your ritual
Each of our bundles is put together with love and magic - from classic white sage to Palo Santo to floral blends.
Closing Mantra
I clear the room.
I clear the mind.
I return to myself.
Love & Magic, Your MOONHUB Team