The Art of Purification: Fumigation (Smudging)

Dear readers,

Today we will talk about a practice that is making a comeback: fumigation. Practice so dear to me taught me in Mexico many years ago now. A small article that I hope will be useful to those who want to approach this practice.

What is  Smudge and Fumigation?

The Smudges are natural incense, characteristic of the culture of shamans and indigenous peoples, an ancient method now re-evaluated to eliminate negative energies. Fumigation is useful for regenerating homes, offices, clinics or places where treatments are carried out and where many people pass through. They are used to purify environments, people or objects from negative energies, combining the release of aromas and essential oils thanks to combustion, with the beneficial and therapeutic properties of plants, conveyed through fumigation.
They are typically associated with the South American Indian tradition even though they have been and are used in almost all parts of the world for millennia.

Both in the East and in the West, incense is one of the most important aids in meditation experiences, purification ceremonies and in many religious ceremonies of different creeds (including the Christian religion). Smoke, with its voluptuous shapes and aromas, has in fact always been characterized by a mystical connotation, which makes it the protagonist of various rituals and spiritual practices. Smudges are in fact incense made with dried herbs and flowers. Smoke is a very important element in shamanic spiritual purification rituals.

In Europe fumigation was used to purify and sanitize environments, such as hospitals, and pets, to free them from parasites and insects. Even today fumigation continues to be used (as a method) but unfortunately with chemical substances that are quite dangerous to human health and always with the same objectives.

What is fumigation (Smudging) used for?

Although the practice of Fumigation (smudging) is thought to be more spiritual than physical, but in addition to the mystical dimension, the use of these incense allows you to enjoy the innumerable properties of the plants that are used inside them.

There are several plants that are used in fumigation: it is a true art that has now become an alternative practice such as aromatherapy. I am always of the opinion that nature gives us everything we need and if today we are unable to cure other "New" diseases by drawing from nature, the solution is because it was created by man and his work.

Returning to which plants to use for specific problems, these specifications are also in my Magical Alchemical Path ; below I will give a small list of essential herbs that I think you should always keep at home. Smudges must not only be used in religious ceremonies but can be burned to release essential oils with countless benefits for the mind and body.

What is a smudge and how to use it

There are different types of materials that can be used to make products similar to ceremonial and propitiatory incense,  flowers and plants can be used and generally the aromatic oils present ensure the dispersion of pleasant and powerful odors . 

Smudges in particular are natural shamanic incense made with aromatic herbs, flowers and dried plants

As we have said, smudge is a type of natural incense that is traditionally used in shamanic purification rituals, so we will use as an example the classic white sage so dear to North American shamans.

Fumigation with white sage to purify the environment and the person

White sage, also known as salvia apiana (it is much loved by bees) is said to be the most important herb in white magic

In shamanic purification rituals, smudges are used to free places, objects and people from negative energies: you have sometimes happened to enter a room and feel heavy air, an unpleasant sensation, which can be associated with heavy energy.

“In shamanic culture smoking has a very important symbolic value, as according to belief it would create a communication route with the realm of energies and spirituality. In indigenous rituals, the smoke of sweetgrass, cedar, white sage and tobacco is generally used to free a person, room or object from negative thoughts, spirits or energies.

White sage is very good and also has strong antibacterial properties, above all it is said to be highly effective against particularly widespread and resistant pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida brassicae (a fungus), therefore in addition to being renowned in the spiritual sphere it is also scientifically.

White sage for Native American peoples is a sacred plant that can:

• Purify yourself from negative energies;
• Purify the environment and objects;
• Protect yourself from negativity;
• Open your mind and make it quiet;

How to do this fumigation ritual, in the ether of the news you will find many rituals, I perform it in this way: when it is a sunny day, I close all the shutters, I take my censer and I go around the whole house chanting different prayers for different times, you can choose the ones you want or not.

There are both censers and smudges already prepared on the market, I use them too but made by me.

Anything made with your hands with love and intention has great power (Items of Power).

After going around all the rooms, making sure that the smoke reaches all the walls, the objects and the furniture, I return to the center of my house. I also purify myself by passing the censer along my entire body, I let the smoke completely invest me and I sit in front of the censer. I wait about ten minutes or when I hear it, and I begin to open all the shutters to let all the impurities out of the house dragged by the smoke and the wind. Obviously after closing the shutters if you want you can do the same procedure again to keep the house with a stronger smell of sage being also antibacterial it doesn't hurt. Always be careful not to overdo the fumigation, Sage is a very particular plant.

As promised, I enclose a small list of herbs that can be used for different needs, obviously there is no need to perform a ritual every time you light incense. I use a mix of herbs that I burn in a round charcoal inside a shell filled with sand or salt or rice.

One piece of advice I always give to everyone is to light a couple of bay leaves every time guests leave. As a precaution.

LAUREL
In the past it was used to limit epidemics, it favors dreams and is very useful for rebalancing emotional problems.

WHITE SAGE:
It is one of the most powerful plants for purification.

SALVIA
It is used to clean up the environment from negative energies especially in the presence of sick people.

LAVENDER
Useful for purifying and gives mental clarity.

OLIVE TREE
It has a great revitalizing and rebalancing effect on the mind.

CAMPHOR

ARTEMISIA
It has a very powerful purifying action, it is used to increase the self-healing capacity present in every person, it also helps to detach from the past.

MYRTO
Often used during meditations, it dissolves tension and promotes forgiveness.

INCENSE IN GRAINS
It has a high purifying action, it is always used during ceremonies and helps to raise the spiritual aspect.

NETTLE (Urtica dioica)
Shamanic Magical Use: This is the herb of the Burning Earth, and its power is aggressive defense. The nettle is an aggressive defender, because it not only absorbs harmful magic that is thrown at the person or in the sacred space of him, but is able to return the curse to the sender.

I hope the article was useful or at least interesting.