Many people have heard about saging (or smudging) & getting rid of evil spirits or bad energy in their homes. The Lehigh Valley is home to many areas where things go bump in the night, such as Sayre Mansion, the 3rd Floor at the UC at Lehigh University, or the Witch of Hexenkopf Hill. So with spooky season upon us, now is a wonderful time to learn how to clear negative energy from your home.
Set Your Intention
Before lighting your sage, take a beat & pause. Decide what you’re clearing: “I release this space of all stagnant or negative energy.” Intention is the fuel behind the ritual.Light the Sage
Use a match or lighter to ignite the tip of a sage bundle or better yet, light a candle (see our blog on Candle Color Magic before deciding). Let the bundle catch for a moment until it gets a good smolder of smoke, then gently blow out the flame so it smolders and produces a lot of smoke. Use an abalone shell to catch the ashes to avoid leaving any burns or embers on your floor.Cleansing an Object
Hold the object in the smoke or pass the bundle around it. Turn it slowly so the smoke envelops all sides. This can be incredibly meditative as I’ve experienced when saging my tarot cards. Visualize the negativity dissolving into the smoke and drifting away into the ether.Cleansing a Person
Have the person stand comfortably. Starting at their feet, waft the smoke upward in gentle circles using your hand or a turkey feather (you can also use any feathers that the Universe has gifted to you when in Nature). Move slowly up the body to the head (make sure you shield the hair from the embers and use the shell to catch them), always keeping your intention in mind. Have the person stand with both arms parallel to the ground and let the smoke go over each arm from shoulder to fingertips.Cleansing a Place or Space
Begin by opening a window or door slightly to give the negativity an exit. Then, begin at your main entrance & to the left of the door. Start by going around the door frame to your right and then move clockwise around the perimeter of your room, guiding smoke into corners, closets & behind doors or anywhere energy might stagnate or collect like energetic dust bunnies. Pay attention to how the smoke wafts up – if it goes in a straight line, the energy is clear, but if it wavers, waffles & dances, that is an area where there may be quite a bit of energy that needs removed (or you have a draft somewhere nearby).
🌌 Natural Law: Nature Abhors a Vacuum
Once sage clears away the negative, dense or heavy energy in your home, you’re left with an energetic vacuum. If left unfilled, any energy can drift back in. This is where the principle “nature abhors a vacuum” comes into play: emptiness is always replaced by something (think of a hole in your front or back yard and how things like rainwater, leaves, even frogs can fill in that hole).
🌸 Fill the Space with Positive Energy
After smudging, invite blessings & vibrant energy into your space by using one of the following uplifting herbs:
Sweetgrass: Burn sweetgrass to draw in loving, harmonious energy. Its sweet scent acts as a magnet for positivity.
Jasmine: Light jasmine incense or use jasmine herbs to invite peace, joy & spiritual connection.
Palo Santo: The “Holy Wood” from the Amazon rainforest has a unique scent & is uplifting & invigorating, perfect for positivity.
Other Touches: Play uplifting music, display a favorite crystal like rose quartz or citrine, or speak affirmations aloud:
“This space is filled with light, love, and prosperity.”
🕯 Closing Your Ritual
When you feel complete, gently press the sage into a fireproof dish or abalone shell to extinguish. Make sure the bundle is completely unlit before leaving it unattended. Thank the elements and your higher power (or the Universe) for cleansing & protection. Breathe deeply & notice the lighter, brighter feeling in the space.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Smudging with sage isn’t just about removing negativity – it’s also about creating a conscious, energetic shift. By clearing the negativity and then intentionally filling that space with other positive energies, you set the stage in your home for harmony, abundance & joy to flourish.