Cleansing with white sage
White sage has been used for thousands of years, traditionally used by Native Americans in rituals and ceremonies, and it has become a very popular practice in our modern society.
A great use of white sage is for cleansing the energy of a space or person. Over time we bring energy into our homes and spaces and carry energy within our own personal energy field. This energy can be from other people we have been around, our thoughts, experiences, places we have been to, situations we are a part of and so on. We also have energy within our homes and spaces that will be from others who have entered it.
This is why I love to regularly do an energy cleanse of my home and of myself. I personally use white sage almost daily to cleanse my personal energy and as a grounding practice.
An energy cleanse for your home or self helps to freshen up the energy as well as shift any energy that isn't there to serve you moving forward! We are cleansing not only the energy of the physical space but also energy within and around us.
Here is a little fact for you, white sage is also antibacterial so in cleansing a space or yourself you are actually helping to ‘clean’ anything present such as virus, bacteria and so on. So not only does it 'clean' on a spiritual and energetic level but is also great for your physical health too!
Some signs or reasons you may feel called to cleanse your home or self may be because you can feel the energy within the home or yourself feels heavy, or you may have been around a person or situation that you feel has affected you or your energy, you may want to invite in a fresh energy to your home or space and cleanse the space of any energy that is not in service of you, to clear the energy of an object that once belonged to others, and I could go on as there really are so many reasons to use white sage.
Here is how I go about cleansing my home but it is important to follow your gut instincts and do what feels good to you!
You will need dried white sage leaves and you only need to use one at a time. You can purchase white sage online and in shops as loose leaves or smudge sticks. I have stopped using multiple leaves at once, including smudge sticks, as white sage is over harvested and often with lack of respect to the plant and its heritage. If you purchase or have a smudge stick you can pull it apart and use the leaves individually.
Begin by opening up multiple windows and doors to allow the energy you are clearing to move out of your home or space.
As you light your white sage speak your prayers and intentions for your home and yourself into the smoke. Either hold the leaf between your fingers or place it in a heatproof bowl. As always use caution when you are using anything that is alight in your home.
Start by clearing yourself with the smoke by carefully moving the white sage down and around your body right down to your feet. You can include going down your arms, around the throat, third eye and all of the chakras for example, there is no right or wrong way, just allow yourself to be guided.
Then start in one room of your house moving clockwise around the edges and into the corners of the room. You may choose to move the smoke around particular objects of the room also.
Keep moving clockwise around your home, if your leaf burns out you can continue cleansing the space by lighting another one. I do my entire home with just two small leaves!
If there are any areas of your home, or objects that you are drawn to clear the energy of please do so. Be guided by yourself and the sage without needing to question anything. Simply trust.
Once you are done you can let the remaining leaf burn out and speak your gratitude to the sage for allowing this cleansing to take place.
Leave your windows and doors open for as long as you please.
You will notice such an airy openness to the space that feels so expansive, fresh and uplifting!
