Using a smudge stick for the first time can be a powerful and transformative experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process: 

Gather Your Materials

You’ll need a smudge stick (commonly made of sage, but other herbs like cedar or palo santo can also be used), a fireproof container (such as an abalone shell or ceramic smudge stick bowl) to catch the ashes, and a lighter or matches to ignite the smudge stick. If you’d like, you can also use a feather to help direct the smoke. 

Set Your Intention

Before you begin, take a moment to set a clear and positive intention for your smudging ritual. This intention could be to cleanse negative energy, to protect your space, or to invite peace and harmony into your life. Your intention will guide the energy of the smudging process. 

Prepare Your Space

If you’re smudging a room or your home, open a window or door to allow the negative energy to escape. This will also help ventilate the space and prevent the smoke from becoming overwhelming. If you’re smudging yourself, find a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus without interruptions. 

Light the Smudge Stick

Hold the smudge stick at a slight angle and light the end with your lighter or match. Allow it to catch fire, then gently blow out the flame so that the stick begins to smolder and produce smoke. The goal is to create a steady stream of smoke, not a large flame. 

Begin Smudging

If you’re smudging a space, start at the entrance and move clockwise around the room, waving the smudge stick in a slow, deliberate motion. Focus on corners, doorways, and windows, as these areas tend to accumulate stagnant energy. If you’re smudging yourself, start at the top of your head and move the smudge stick down your body, allowing the smoke to waft around you. 

Speak Your Intention

As you move through the space or around your body, speak your intention aloud or silently in your mind. For example, you might say, “I cleanse this space of all negativity and fill it with light and love,” or “I release all negative energy and invite peace and protection.” 

Visualize the Cleansing

Visualize the smoke carrying away the negative energy and leaving behind a fresh, positive atmosphere. Imagine the space or your aura being cleansed and purified, with any darkness or heaviness dissipating in the smoke. 

Close the Ritual

Once you’ve finished smudging, return to the entrance or center of the space and say a final affirmation or prayer to seal in the positive energy. You might say something like, “This space is now cleansed, protected, and filled with positive energy.” 

Extinguish the Smudge Stick

Press the smoldering end of the smudge stick into your fireproof container, sand, or soil to fully extinguish it. Make sure the stick is completely out before leaving it unattended. 

Reflect and Give Thanks

After your first smudging, take a moment to reflect on the experience and give thanks for the cleansing and protection. You might feel a sense of peace, lightness, or renewal after the ritual. 

Using a smudge stick for the first time can be a deeply meaningful experience. By following these steps with intention and mindfulness, you’ll be able to effectively cleanse your space or yourself, creating an environment of positive energy and spiritual alignment. 

Author: Coralee Roberts

Coralee is a passionate health and wellness advocate with a deep understanding of holistic living. Driven by a desire to empower herself and others to achieve optimal health and well-being, she has been practicing smudging and energy cleansing for several years. In 2024, Coralee decided to formalize her knowledge and completed a certificate in smudging, deepening her understanding of this transformative practice. Through her writing and teachings, Coralee aims to inspire and support others on their own paths towards wellness and resilience.