Comebackers, yesterday we talked about clutter clearing and the importance of cleaning your space of physical mess and disorganization. Today, I’m going to discuss energetic cleansing. The idea is to bring positive, healthy and loving energy into your surroundings once you have cleared the clutter.
I’m going to depart only slightly from traditional Feng Shui as we explore smudging (space cleansing), which is Native American in origin.
Jayme Barrett in “Feng Shui Your Life” explores the Asian art of space cleansing through burning of sandalwood incense and lighted candles. I actually prefer smudging. It feels a lot more powerful, spiritual and effective to me. Smudge Sticks (pictured directly below) are made of sage and sweetgrass. The spirt of sage has the power to drive out negative energies and influences. Sweetgrass is used to attract positive energy and healing.
Comeback Girl's smudge stick and bowl
smudging: Smudging is the common name given to the sacred smoke bowl blessing. A powerful cleansing technique from the Native North American Tradition. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and restore balance. It is the art of cleansing yourself and your environment using simple ritual and ceremony. For thousands of years smudging has been a part of Native American tradition but now its power of cleansing is available to everyone. (The Smudging and Blessings Book) Jane Alexander
I do a house sumudging at each change of season:
(a) I open up every single window, closet and door in my home. Symbolically I seek to get stale thoughts out. Old ways of thinking, believing and doing things that no longer serve me.
Comeback Girl's bedroom window
I will also smudge when I feel like people brought “junk” with them into my home. It could be serious negativity or even thoughts that they had about a situation, person or even place that I did not wish to permeate into my surroundings and whereby me as a result. Additionally, I will also smudge if I find a cute little night table to restore at a thrift store to clear any past energy from previous owners that may not be beneficial to me.
(b) I light the smudge. And bless myself. I pray for wisdom. I pray to help bring my home protection, creativity, prosperity, and positivity.
(c) I move around into every corner of my living space with the smudge (at this time it should be emitting a light smoke) and again I say prayers highlighted in (b).
(d) I say special prayers in my work space. I ask for diviine inspiration and concentration. (Concentration for my self-diagnosed A.D.D. LOL)
(e) I say a special prayer in my bedroom for love, wisdom and clairty.
(f) Don’t laugh, but I say a prayer in my closet. I have a special Jimmy Choo prayer too. I ask for great shoes. I ask that they will welcome their cousin Christian Louboutin with open arms, because he’s coming home soon. (its not funny!!! Comebackers)
(g) I comeback to the center of my living space and I thank God for all the blessings and favor. I pray for my neighbors around me. That they may live in peace and prosperity. That all their dreams may come true.
(h) I extinguish the smudge with sand and water in the bowl.
note: smudge bowls and sticks can be found at most metaphysical bookstores nationwide.
6 Comments
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 9:26 am
hey lady! how are u today? this seems really peaceful and positive. I’m going to look for this book. where do I find a smudging bowl and the sticks?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 9:47 am
Akua where you been???
smudges and sticks can be picked up at most metaphysical places (bookstores). You can also order smudges online.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Do you do any kind of readings????
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 4:30 pm
@ Say …i do a little bit of numerology and astrology like i did on sbm you prolly also read a lot of me talking about my 3rd eye over there. but past that I don’t do readings. I think I will do some blogging on inner voice and attunement. I believe everybody knows things. sometimes we just have to pay attention.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 1:09 am
[...] of every season. But I also smudged at the ending of my last relationship. Check the details here. But it is an Indian tradition which seeks to bless the home and remove negative or stale energy [...]
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 9:04 pm
[...] I first introduced the airy fairy element of The Comeback Girl, late last year. At the beginning of every season, which also marks the ending of the old, I space cleanse/smudge (with the sage stick, pictured above). smudging: Smudging is the common name given to the sacred smoke bowl blessing. A powerful cleansing technique from the Native North American Tradition. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants to drive away negative energies and restore balance. It is the art of cleansing yourself and your environment using simple ritual and ceremony. For thousands of years smudging has been a part of Native American tradition but now its power of cleansing is available to everyone. (The Smudging and Blessings Book) Jane Alexander [...]