Native people throughout the world use herbs to accomplish this. One common ceremony is to burn certain herbs, take the smoke in one's hands and wash themselves as if the smoke is water taking the sacred smoke to the face, hand and the entire body. Today this is commonly called "smudging."

In Western North America the four plants most frequently used in smudging are sage, cedar, tobacco and sweetgrass. Which is commonly use. In our family tradition, if sage cannot be found we also use a sap from the pinion tree. We also have a family blend that we use. .

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Smudging Depending on the tradition. A natural bowl is used, should not be man made. Most use the abalone shell, some choose not to use it. But, to honor the element of water we (meaning my family) use it. For the ceremony we do, we honor all elements, earth (herbs), air (feather), fire (fire), water (abalone shell).

To do a smudging ceremony, We make an offering to the Great Spirit, to our Mother Earth, and four directions, and offer in our tradition, to the elder first. Then the Elder will smudge the person who will be doing the ceremony. Take the sacred smoke to yourself and wash yourself with the smoke. Allow the smoke to clear the energy, you can feel it happening, just allow this to happen. You may feel a need to cry, allow yourself to feel. It's okay. When finished you may smudge the rest of the place starting with the front door working your way around cleansing with the smoke. Sending the sacred smoke to the places of corners and dark places, basements, attic, under beds, closets and so on. Ending at the front door where you first began, sealing the energies, and leave the bowl of herbs (never unattended) to finish burning the herbs. Give thanks to the Spirits for providing you with the wisdom and their assistance.

You have just smudge... It is very important always to do this ceremony in a sacred way, keeping your mind and spirit with in a place of honor. Never take this ceremony for granted. Do it with a good heart, honor the Spirit of those who have come before us and remember what they have done for us, for they are the tradition and solid ground on which we stand. Remember the herbs have a very powerful energy and should be respected, and the ancient teachers we know as ancestors for their wisdom and assistance. Thank you, many blessings and be well.

May you always walk in beauty, for beauty walks in you

Lozen