The smudging ceremony is a Native American tradition that rids houses of bad spirits.Smudging can be accomplished by burning dried herbs and letting the smoke float around the house.These instructions will help you perform a ceremony that respects the original traditions and prepares a space to live in.
Step 1: If you aren't following a specific tradition, you should use sage.
Many Native American tribes and other cultures have their own traditions about which plants to use.It is important for the Cheyenne and other Great Plains cultures to have sagebrush.Many cultures consider white sage to be excellent at driving away bad spirits, but other varieties are also used.
Step 2: If cedar grows in your area, you should consider it.
In the Pacific Northwest or Canada, cedar is often burned in cleansing ceremonies.Some trees referred to as "cedars" are actually juniper trees, which some tribes do not use.The practice of mixing multiple herbs is not supported by some Native American elders.There are many different smudging ceremonies and some of them may call for a different plant.If you haven't been taught a specific culture's tradition, you should perform an effective and respectful ceremony.
Step 3: Don't burn sweetgrass after the ceremony is over.
Sweetgrass, or holy grass, is a sacred plant and is often considered to represent kindness and please spirits.It can be burned after the cedar has cleared the negative energy.If you have been taught a specific tribe's tradition that uses sweetgrass in the main ceremony, you can use it or any other plant that the tribe allows.
Step 4: If you want to harvest the plants yourself, you should buy raw tobacco.
If you're new to the ceremony, stick to one herb.Before you harvest a different herb, use tobacco as an offering.For more information, see below.
Step 5: These plants are obtained from respectful sources.
If you can, harvest these plants yourself, in a natural environment, as described in the sub-steps.To ensure the plants were treated correctly, get them from a Native American shop.Many tribes place or burn natural, raw tobacco as an offering after thanking the Creator or nature.The cedar tree needs to be Harvested the correct part.Pick branches with green tips.Before burning, crush them and dry them.Sweetgrass is rare in some areas, so you shouldn't harvest it yourself.You can find sweetgrass braids from a Native American shop or online store.
Step 6: Either bundle the herb into a bunch or hold it in a natural container.
Stone bowls are used in rituals.Abalone shells are a common container, but some Pacific Northwest tribes think they are not appropriate for this ritual.There are bundles of herbs called "smudge sticks".Many Native Americans still use traditional smudge sticks despite questions from some Native American elders.
Step 7: The smoke can be wft with a turkey feather.
A feather or fan of feathers is used to smoke during a ceremony.Unless you are a member of a native tribe, eagle and hawk feathers are not allowed in the US.Turkey feathers are used by some tribes in eastern North America.Owl feathers have different rituals, so do not use them.It is against the law to buy wild feathers in the US.Purchase feathers from farm-raised birds, or use feathers you got from hunting or finding them in the wild.
Step 8: The materials should be kept above waist height.
Keep your plants and container above the ground.A high bookshelf is a good choice.If you use the herbs before they are dry, you will fail to produce the right smoke.
Step 9: Know when to smudge.
A lot of people smudge when they move into a new place or stay in a hotel room.If you hear bad news or are preparing for a big change in your life, you may want to perform a smudging ceremony.Smudging can help you deal with the effects of a big argument.Smudging can be done more frequently under certain circumstances, such as in places where other ceremonies take place, or during archaeological excavations of native remains and sacred materials.Some U.S. institutions have changed their policies after challenges based on the First Amendment and freedom of religion.
Step 10: Make sure to remove metal objects before you start.
It's common for different cultures to have different rules for how to participate in a ceremony, but removing metal jewelry, belts, and so forth is a requirement.This can be seen as a way to prepare yourself for the future, or it can symbolize the end of things.Many experienced ceremony leaders allow you to keep on wedding rings and other metal objects with spiritual significance, so feel free to do so when performing your own ceremony.
Step 11: Don't follow additional rules out of politeness.
A couple of the more common traditions are listed below.If you follow the rules out of respect, do not drink alcohol or take drugs for at least 24 hours before the ceremony, and not for several days.You may be weakened by them.Menstruating or pregnant women are sometimes asked to leave due to beliefs of their spiritual intensity disrupting the ceremony or leaving them vulnerable.They are welcome at the house ceremony, but not personally sanctified.
Step 12: Pray or give thanks.
Everyone should enter the ceremony with good intentions.In whatever way you feel comfortable, please pray to the world's creator.If you don't want to pray, talk about your gratitude for the plants and the earth.You can pray silently or aloud during the ceremony.The smoke is believed to carry your prayers.
Step 13: Place the herbs in a container.
There is a bundle of herbs which can be used for multiple ceremonies.Place a small amount of dried plant material in a natural container, such as a clay, stone, or abalone shell bowl.
Step 14: To make smoke, burn the herbs.
Some people feel more in touch with the ceremony if they use matches rather than a lighter or torch, but you can light the plants with any source of fire.The herbs will only produce smoke if the fire catch hold for 30 seconds.If the smoke starts to run out, you can relight the herbs or add more.
Step 15: Fanning the smoke over each participant's body is how to purify them.
The participants are smudged before the house is built.There is no one correct way to perform this part of the ceremony.Make sure each participant rubs the smoke against their body.If you have an eagle, hawk, or turkey feather, use it to fan the smoke.If you want to catch the smoke, use your hands as a cup and rub it against your skin.People put their hands down when they're done.Many people prefer to start with the head and heart, then move the smoke downward across their arms and legs.You can use any method you want.Menstruating and pregnant women don't participate in this part of the ceremony because they are already in a special spiritual state.Anyone can decline as well.
Step 16: Take a walk around the perimeter of the house or room and light the smoke.
Use your hands or a feather to push the smoke out of the house.As you pass by an open door or window, you can use a feather to push the smoke outside.Traditions begin at the east wall, west wall or front entrance.You can walk clockwise or counterclockwise.Many cultures and individuals follow different practices for the smudging ceremony.
Step 17: If you want, you can repeat with one or more additional plants.
Some people prepare a new container and burn another plant.The most common part of these multi-part ceremonies is the initial purification of the person, followed by sweetgrass to please the spirits or create a positive environment.
Step 18: Bring the ashes back to the earth.
Thank the earth for providing a sacrifice of plants for you to use, and thank the plants and fire as well.The soil will benefit from the regrowth of the scythes.The Anishinaabe place the ashes outside to symbolize leaving negative feelings outside the door.If you let the herbs finish smoldering, you can return what's left along with the ashes.If you use a smudge stick, extinguish it by stubbing it against a hard surface.Store the stick in a special location off the ground if you want to use it later.