Smudging, or burning dried herbs, is a ritual that has been around for centuries. It’s not just for hippies either- read on to find out how to smudge and why you should try burning smudge sticks in your house today!
Here you’ll find everything you need to know about smudging, including benefits, what you need for smudging, how to smudge your house and yourself, and more. Soon I’ll also have a post ready for ya on how to make your own smudge sticks with herbs you dry at home!
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Does smudging work?
You know how you can feel the negative energy when you’re in a room with two people who are mad at each other, even if they aren’t obviously angry? You can feel that energy because of your aura.
More and more scientists are beginning to realize that we aren’t just physical. We have electromagnetic properties, which are also called our electric biofield, Chi, or aura. Your aura protects you, supports your immune system, and projects energy. It is what is damaged when you’re exposed to too many EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies).
Related: What are EMFs? And the best EMF protection
What smudging supposedly does is it clears the air of bad energy. This isn’t just good for your mood though! Smudging your house and yourself has numerous benefits.
Benefits of smudging
There are studies that suggest numerous benefits to smudging, such as one study that supports the claim that medicinal smoke can eliminate bacteria in the air of confined spaces (source).
The energy cleansing of bad air is also meant to help with air-related symptoms such as asthma, respiratory problems, colds, coughs, and headaches.
This is a great way to clean your house and purify the air you breathe without using toxic cleaners or harsh chemicals.
Related: All the recipes you need for a non-toxic house cleaning
This happens in part because smudging also clears energy by removing positive ions (which are released during storms, stress, and moments of tension) and replaces them with negative ions. The same thing happens when you ground (or earth) yourself, or touch your skin to bare earth.
Related: The life-changing health benefits of grounding
Smudging (especially smudging with sage) is also reported to help to improve memory function and boost your mood and awareness. (source)
So although smudging has been a spiritual practice, the smudging ritual also has numerous health benefits! But you won’t know exactly how great smudging is until you try it for yourself at a time when you really need an energy cleansing. So when is that?
When to smudge
There are no bad times smudge your house, but there are plenty of times when smudging is a good idea! Remember how we were talking about how smudging clears negative energy? Well, there are times when your home might have more negative energy than others.
Usually, you can kind of feel when your house needs its energy cleared, but there are a few times that are especially good for smudging.
When you should smudge:
- After an argument
- Moving into a new home
- After a sickness
- After having negative guests over
- When you feel stressed or tense
- Before meditation
But of course, you can smudge whenever you want! Just make sure that you have everything you need, as well as enough time to take it slow- smudging isn’t something to rush!
What you need for smudging
I hope I’ve convinced you that you need to start smudging! Before you learn how to smudge, though, there are a couple of tools you need.
Here’s everything you need to get started with smudging!
Smudge sticks
There are lots of different types of smudge sticks to choose from, in stores, at farmers markets, and online. There are big ones and small ones, wreaths and bowls. So how do you choose a good smudge stick? There are a couple of guidelines to follow when choosing items for smudging.
First, make sure you’re getting herbs that have been sustainably harvested! This is super important. Sage smudging is a sacred ritual to some groups of people, and we shouldn’t just take all the herbs and plants we want! Be mindful of where your smudge stick is coming from, and make sure that they’re from sustainable companies.
And if you’re making your own smudge sticks, make sure you aren’t getting your herbs from anywhere that has been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides! You don’t want to breath that in while you’re burning your smudge sticks.
You should also know that you can use smudge sticks more than once– so buying a big one can be a good idea because you can use it for a long time.
There are also numerous types of smudging herbs. White sage is the most popular, but it’s also the one you have to be the most careful with to ensure sustainability. Lavender smudge sticks are also a great choice (burning lavender smells lovely), and there are also cedar smudge sticks. Sometimes smudge sticks use a variety of smudging herbs as well.
Where to buy smudge sticks
There are lots of places you can find smudge sticks. To support your local businesses and avoid plastic, you can look for smudge sticks at farmer’s markets or your local co-op.
There are also some good places to buy smudge sticks online.
I like buying smudge sticks from Starwest Botanicals because I trust what they sell. They have large sage smudge sticks, small white smudge sticks, blue sage smudge sticks, and a trio of cedar and white and blue sage smudge sticks.
There are also sage and lavender smudge sticks on Amazon.
Smudge accessories
Other than smudging herbs, there are a couple of accessories you need to start smudging.
The first thing is a good candle- you might need to light your smudge stick a couple of times while smudging, and that could use up a lot of matches! Make sure you get a high-quality beeswax candle with a cotton wick.
Why?
Conventional candles are derived from petroleum, they usually include carcinogenic fragrances, and some even have lead in the wicks! You don’t want to be breathing in those toxins while you’re smudging… That would be kind of counterproductive!
You’ll also want a small ceramic plate or something to put your smudge stick on. Traditionally, people have used abalone shells for this, as well as a feather for wafting the smoke. This way, you receive the benefits of each element (water, fire, earth, and air) as you’re smudging. It’s up to you whether you want to do this ritual the traditional way or not.
Finally, there are smudging kits that can get you started with everything you need. If you’re a beginner at smudging and want to learn how to do it, a smudging kit is a great option to start with!
Other ways to smudge
Finally, if you’re looking for creative ways to smudge your house or yourself and you don’t want to buy a normal smudge stick (you non-conventional smudger, you!) then there are a couple other options as well.
You can buy a smudge wreath that you can use more than once.
Or just buy loose herbs! Sage, lavender, or rose are all good options for smudging herbs. Starwest Botanicals sells whole dried white sage leaves. You can put the dried herbs in a small pottery bowl and burn it in that.
There’s also palo santo. This is a wood stick that you use the same way as a smudge stick, for purifying and energy cleansing. Please note that palo santo is endangered, and you need to make sure you get sustainably harvested palo santo sticks.
There’s palo santo included in the smudging kit I mentioned above as well!
How to smudge your house
On to how to smudge! Now, there is a lot of weird information out there on how to smudge by using hand signs to ward off evil, incantations, and stuff like that. I’m not going to go into that here.
Instead, I’ll give you a couple of general guidelines to best cleanse the energy of your house, as well as some things you can do if you want to make it more of a ritual.
First, make sure you have plenty of time to sage your house slowly. You also want to ensure that there’s adequate air movement by opening windows or doors in your house. This will help guard against any smokey smells.
To start smudging, gather your smudge stick, a lit candle, and if you want, you can bring a plate to put the smudge stick on, or an abalone shell and a feather.
Start at the front door of your house. Light the end of the smudge stick until there’s a constant stream of smoke. There shouldn’t be a flame on the smudge stick- blow it out if need be.
Then, slowly walk around the edge of each room of your house, going in a clockwise direction. You can either just slowly wave the smudge stick, or use your hand or a feather to gently guide the smoke towards the walls, and pay special attention to the corners of the house. Feel free to spend extra time bringing the smudge stick up and down wherever you want.
You might need to light the smudge stick again a couple of times in each room. If you’re using both hands, you can leave the candle in a central place in each room, and return to it each time you need to re-light.
Once you’re done with each room (including every closet, nook, and cranny) you can leave the smudge stick on the plate until it’s completely extinguished. Feel free to use the same smudge stick again next time, until it’s too short to use any more!
Store your smudge sticks somewhere cool and dry.
So just to recap saging your space, here are the steps for how to smudge your house:
- Open windows
- Take your smudge stick and a lit candle to the front door
- Light your smudge stick until there’s constant smoke
- Walk slowly around the edge of each room in a clockwise direction, wafting smoke towards the walls and corners
- Re-light smudge stick as needed
- After smudging each room, let the smudge stick go out completely before putting it away for next time
That’s it! Pretty easy, right? But maybe you’re wondering what you should be doing while you’re meandering through each room. There are a couple of guidelines for that too- let’s get into smudging affirmations!
Smudging affirmations
Affirmations are something you say, or intentions you set, while you’re smudging.
So what do you say when smudging your house?
There aren’t any hard and fast rules for what to say or think while you’re smudging, but I can give you some tips.
First, as a general guideline, try to think positive thoughts while smudging. It would be counterproductive to smudge while creating negative energy to fill your space right back up with again!
You don’t need to think about that argument you just had, or about what’s wrong with your house, or how messy it is. This is a time for you to clear your mind as well as the energy of the areas around you.
There are also more specific smudging affirmations you can focus on while you’re walking around. When smudging your house, focus on the feelings and blessings you want to experience at home. It can be simple little sayings too. For example, just focus on the thought, “may this place to be filled with peace and joy”, “this is a place of abundance”, or “may positive energy fill this space”.
Personally, I like to pray while I’m walking around the house smudging. You don’t have to say a specific smudging prayer, although you can look up prayers to say when saging your house. I enjoy praying specifically about each room I’m in. For example, when I’m in our dining room I might pray for God’s blessing on guests that come over, and for good conversations and lots of love and joy during shared meals.
Use these smudging affirmations to make your house smudging into something more of a meditative ritual, and enjoy the pleasant feelings that come with it! Below are some more affirmations for when you’re smudging yourself.
How to smudge yourself
Smudging yourself is a good way to cleanse negative energy from yourself. Do it after an argument or sickness, when you’re feeling lousy, or before meditation. Saging yourself is a good way to practice self-care.
Read on for how to smudge yourself!
You can smudge your body immediately before or after smudging your house if you want. I like to do it as a part of meditation.
Some people do it naked, but that’s up to you. =)
To smudge yourself, start by lighting your smudge stick the same way described above. Keep a candle nearby, and, starting at your feet, wave the smoke towards yourself using either your hand or a feather. Another way to do it is to light the smudge stick, place it in a bowl, and stand over it.
Breath deeply while you’re smudging, and work your way from your feet to your head.
Afterward, let your smudge stick extinguish and put it away til next time!
You might want to try some smudging affirmations while smudging yourself as well.
Affirmations for smudging yourself
Just like with smudging your house, there are affirmations you can say or intentions you can set while you’re smudging yourself.
You don’t need to follow any specific pattern or prayers, but here are some ideas for you!
First, you can visualize the smoke carrying off negative energy. Picture it lifting off sadness, sickness, or anxiety. You can also focus on specific affirmations as you move the smoke over different areas of your body.
For example, “may my hands do good work”, or “let my heart be filled with peace”.
Invite wellness into your body and set positive intentions.
Related: 10+ natural remedies for anxiety you can do at home
Negative effects of smudging
There are very few negative side effects of smudging.
If you happen to be allergic to the herb that you’re using, that might not end up well. Obviously.
And one other part that some people don’t like is the smell… So what does burning sage smell like? Well, it can be an acquired taste. Some people think it smells like marijuana. The good thing is that the smell doesn’t last for long, and as long as you keep air moving with open windows, you should be fine!
Some people also wonder if smudging can make things worse. I can’t think of any situation where that would be true, except for cases of allergic reactions. Most of us could use an energy clearing in our house, and you really can’t smudge too much!
So, there are so few negative aspects of smudging, that I’d say even if there weren’t any benefits to smudging, you should still try it for yourself! You don’t need numerous scientific research articles to find out whether smudging makes you feel better or not. And if it feels good to you, do it!
Is smudging appropriation?
Some people worry that smudging is a sacred practice stolen from Native Americans.
I have a few thoughts on that.
I call it “smudging” rather than smoke cleansing simply because that’s what people know it by, and that’s what they’re searching on the internet. If it makes you uncomfortable using that term, then don’t!
It can also be called “sage burning” but it’s not always sage you’re burning, so that doesn’t work.
And besides, even if we called it something else it can still be disrespectful! That would be like wearing Bantu knots and calling them “little twisty buns” …nope, still appropriation, Karen. So how about smudging?
Is it cultural appropriation to use smudge sticks?
My answer is- it depends on how you do it.
We have to look at the actual practice. When burning sage sticks, are you doing a ritual, looking for your spirit animal, and singing like a Native American chant? Are you trying to copy the spiritual practice (that you probably don’t understand) of another culture? That’s not ok.
But are you simply burning sage to cleanse your house? No one has a monopoly on burning herbs, no matter what label you put on it. That’s fine.
Or are you dressing up in a feathered headdress and holding a big old smudge stick for your Halloween costume? Not ok at all.
Get it?
The practices of other cultures aren’t something to fear or run from (aka racism), but we can understand and appreciate them. If you’re using customs from other cultures in order to make fun of them or be disrespectful, check yourself.
As for me? I’m thankful that other wise cultures are willing to share wonderful, healthy practices that all of us can now benefit from!
Smudging and Christianity
Some people think that smudging is an occult part of New Age mysticism, where people believe they’re gods and do witchy things. That’s not it at all!
Burning sage is actually a Native American ritual, and wasn’t invented for witchcraft. Even though some people have used smudging in a negative way, by trying to cast a spell of protection over their house instead of trusting God, that doesn’t mean that smudging is a sin.
Now, I couldn’t find any mention of smudge sticks, negative energy, or burning sage in the Bible. But that doesn’t mean those things are sinful- there’s no mention of the keto diet either! And God himself is a being of energy and light, holding everything in the universe together (Colossians 1:17). So it would be silly to think that energy has no power!
It’s my belief that God has given us plants for healing (Revelation 22:2) and he knew what he was doing when he made herbs and other plants.
Let’s look at another example of a healing plant in the Bible!
In Leviticus 14:52, God gives Jewish priests the job of purifying a house after it is defiled by mold. The priests are required to use cedar wood and hyssop. Hyssop and cedar wood were also used to cleanse a person who had been healed from skin diseases. They also used hyssop to mark doorways with blood during the Passover, marking those houses as pure and innocent.
In Psalm 51:7, David’s prayer for forgiveness after sinning, it says, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Now, this is obviously metaphorical, but the same idea is there.
The Jewish people were just following God’s rules at that time, but now we know that hyssop has strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties- God knew what he was doing! Aerial parts of the hyssop plant have also been used to help with minor infections and digestion problems.
What’s more, God gave us brains to learn with, so that we can seek wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and seek God (Matthew 6:33) and use everything for his glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). There are a couple of things we can learn from that. If you’re smudging and you realize that you’re starting to rely on the purification from smudging instead of looking to God, that might be a good time to stop using smudge sticks for a while.
If you’re on the fence and you aren’t sure whether it would be a sin for you to smudge or not, I’d encourage you to pray. Seek God and question where your beliefs come from. Are your convictions because of the Holy Spirit or because of internalized misconceptions or guilt? Dig into the Word and science and see what you find!
On the other hand, if you can thank God for the tools and gifts he’s given us (James 1:17), you can gratefully use sage and smudge sticks as much as you want! Don’t elevate creation above the Creator, but appreciate what God has given us for wellbeing in this life. He cares for you!
Conclusion
There ya go! All my thoughts on smudging.
I believe it can be a beneficial, restorative part of a healthy lifestyle. I love using smudging at home to clear out negative energy and refresh my house with good intentions and positive energy.
Related: Natural ways to get more energy (without caffeine)
So do you think you’ll start smudging? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I found this article to be very useful. I have never smudged my home and wasn’t sure how to but this helped alot. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting! I’m very glad you found it helpful =) It can feel kinda silly the first time you smudge, but once you have the basics down, there’s really no right or wrong way to do it. Happy smudging! =)
I really enjoyed this article and your outlook on smudging, I have smudged before, but I like to read up and expand my knowledge. Thank you
You’re welcome! Thank you for your kind comment, I’m so glad you found this to be helpful!
Thank you for being so detailed. This will be my first time…. well as soon I get all the ingredients for my smudging and sometimes other websites don’t give as detailed or information step by step!! I appreciate you for just making it seem so simple!!!
You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy smudging =)
Is it safe for pets?
Hi Eileen! Smudging is perfectly safe for pets, but since there is some smoke involved, I’d recommend opening windows and keeping an eye on pets to make sure the smoke isn’t irritating them. I have a dog and she’s never been bothered by it. Hope that helps! =)
I really enjoyed reading what you explained about smudging! And the fact that you give God all the praise and glory! I’ve been smudging for awhile now and I like Palo Santo best so I usually will burn some of it after the the sage. Thank once again!
Thanks for your kind comment, Susan! So glad you enjoyed the post and the smudging! =)
I loved your article. I saved it to my notes in my phone as well as Pinterest account because I found it so useful. I especially appreciated how you explained it as far as Christian terms. I’m a Christian and like you, I believe that Heavenly Father gave us everything we would need in this earth for a happy and healthy life. The prophet of my church tells us to “seek the good in all things”, and I feel like that is something I’m always striving to do and in this case, I feel I have accomplished by seeking out… Read more »
I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for your kind comment- God has definitely given us a lot of good things in this world!
Great post! You really described in detail and even explained about religion. This is amazing, thank you!
Thank you, comments like these make my day =) So glad you liked it!
Wow! I have never read a better explanation for the benefits of smudging as it relates to our Christianity! I love the examples and verses you used as well! Smudging can be just another tool God has given us and not something Satanic as some believe. You’ve done a fantastic job of explaining that! Thank you!
Thank you so much for the kind comment!! I recently had a disagreement with several Christians about whether smudging is evil and I was pretty disheartened by all the closed-mindedness… but hearing from people like you gives me hope! Thank you! =)
Where can I buy a smudging kit? The article referenced a Starwest Botanicals and I thought it was a website, but it isn’t.
There’s a link to smudging kits under the sections called “smudge accessories” – or just go to https://amzn.to/2VdXrMD =)
Thank you for this article. Looking forward to my first smudging experience. I ordered smudge sticks and palo Santo. I should be getting them this week.! Super excited my home is full of negative energy right now.
Happy smudging!! =)
Hi Rachel, I’m an indigenous woman from the Colville Tribe and while I found your article interesting and not too off base from what smudging means to my people, I must ask you to not appropriate our sacred medicine. While it is definitely okay to burn herbs such as sage or palo santo, using the term smudging is akin to an atheist using the word baptism for a good soak in the tub. I was raised Catholic and feel the sacredness of baptism is comparable to the sacredness of smudging for Natives. I think it’s all well and fair to… Read more »
Thanks for your feedback! No disrespect was meant in this article. There are definitely a lot of words that I consciously try not to appropriate because of the cultural background and significance (words such as “tribe”, “pow-wow”, “spirit animal”, and others) but I had never thought of the word smudging being on that list! Unfortunately, people now know the term “smudging” so I don’t think I would be able to pass on this important information to as many people if I used a term like “herbal cleanse” simply because that isn’t what they’re typing into the search box! And there… Read more »
Lyss, I am at a complete loss for words that you and other natives are making such a big deal over a word. I too am Native American of the Muskogee Creek Nation and I follow all that I have learned throughout my years of life. My family is on the Dawes Roles of 1906 as well. I have a great love for my heritage and upbringing but my goodness get a grip. One reason why the native people are being left behind is because they are so closed off and not wanting to share with the world all of… Read more »
Amen, very well said and on point. Bless you 💕
I was so very glad to see this post and to see how you tied the activity of smudging to all things positive, even aligning it with our Christian practices and beliefs. Like you, God is my father and Lord Jesus is my savior and I would want to do nothing unpleasing in their eyes. There are many notations within the Bible of herbs and essential oils being used. Some people say that mineral specimens have certain healing properties. While I can’t prove any of these claims, I no longer discount things which I don’t understand either. I feel that… Read more »
So glad you liked this post! I absolutely agree, not understanding something doesn’t mean it wasn’t created by God with a purpose. Thanks for your comment and enjoy smudging!
Been very interested in smudging my apartment but wasn’t exactly sure how this was helpful and I will be studying my home soon and will continue on a regular basis
I’m very glad you found it helpful! =)
Great article! I am new to smudging but feel like this was a very good article for me to read and learn some basics. Thank you for including verses from the Bible and for giving a little history on the practice.
Hi! Thank you for writing this amazing article!😄 I don’t own a smudge stick, but I have several dried white sage branches/leaves, how can I work with these? (I think you briefly mentioned it but i want to be 200% sure)
Thank you in advance!
Hi! I’m actually working on a post on how to make smudge sticks!! It might be tougher using sage that is already dried, but yeah just tie it up with string (organic is best since you’ll be burning it) and give it a go! If the leaves are too dry/crumbly, you could probably also powder your sage and make a sort of incense cone to burn? Hope that helps!
Rose, you can also burn loose sage in an abalone shell (best due to the interior) and use a feather to move the smoke.
Are you part of a Native American culture? If not, you should not be using smudge, because that’s appropriation. It is not a holistic practice. It is a cultural and religious practice that we were banned from using for many years. For others to use it without permission. shows a very disrespectful and blatant disregard to our suffering and our sacred practices. Furthermore, to use this practice wrongfully will bring negative energy into the space
Hi Jamie, you can read the above comments to see my thoughts on this (and thoughts from someone with a Native American background) -I still haven’t found evidence that using the term ‘smudging’ is inappropriate but if you have any resources for me I’ll definitely take a look!
Hi Rachel So sorry that you are receiving negative backlash for very respectful information on smudging. I say if the word smudging upsets you than just scroll on by instead of ruining it for others by being a negative Nancy. I find it fascinating information. Hope you have a great day! 😊
Thank you, it definitely is fascinating and I love sharing about this stuff! You have a great day too! 💕
I really enjoyed this reading. I appreciate the fact you enhanced the spirit with God behind this practice because he is always there, with us and giving us everything we need … thank you
Thank you so much for this incredibly informative article. We just moved into a new house and 1 room in particular gives me the creeps. It’s like something negative happened there. No I feel ready to smudge. I just ordered the full kit from a site you recommend that says they ethically use plants and waste nothing. So thank you again for such terrific info.
Oh man yeah that’s a great reason to smudge! Thanks for your kind words, enjoy!
Thank you so much for all the useful info. My first time smudging and wasn’t quite sure how to start. I intended to use my smudge stick for my crystals but now I’m going to do the whole house and myself. Feeling a great deal of negative energy just now in all aspects of my life. I have also sent for my human design chart, looking forward to it arriving. Many thanks again.
So glad you found this to be helpful! I just sent out your human design chart- just glancing at it, you definitely pick up a lot of energy from how the people around you are doing, so do your best to hang out around the right people! I hope you experience more positive energy soon.
Your explanation of everything was so informative. I was on the fence but now I can go ahead and burn my sage without fear I am inviting unwanted spirits into my home. I just want to get rid of some bad juju.
So glad you found this helpful! Best wishes for good energy in your home!
I have been going through a hard time lately, I was injured at work so no work for 2 months. No work equals no cash! I’ve been doing a lot of reading and realized that my 7 Chakra’s may be blocked! I picked up a few things along with my reading. I just smudged myself using your prayer. I Know I Will Get Through This! I started a manifestation journal. Thank you for your article. I look forward to the human design chart.
Valerie, you’ve been going through a lot! I just hit send on your Human Design chart, it’s actually fairly similar to mine and has its own set of strengths and challenges. Nice job smudging and starting a journal, that’s a great idea! All the best and please let me know if you have any questions about your chart!
I moved in with my manfriend (we are both Senior Citizens and I feel funny calling him my boyfriend) last year. I am the first relationship for him since the split 3 years ago with a woman he was with for 17 years. She lived in this same house during the last 3 years they were together. I felt her energy immediately. I’ve wanted to do a smoke cleansing but wanted to do it with his blessing. He has told me that I could if I wanted but he didn’t feel her energy. I politely suggested that perhaps he had… Read more »
Hi Judy, thanks for the questions! My feeling is that as long as windows are open and you’re going through each room, you don’t need to worry about pushing bad energy back in. In my experience smoke cleansing works much better than that, even if you don’t quite follow the ‘rules’. So don’t worry about it and just do as you feel is best! And yes you can smoke cleanse each other! I haven’t seen your Human Design chart request yet (sometimes it takes a bit to show up in my inbox) but I’ll send it out to you as… Read more »
Hi please can you tell me what’s best smudge stick for my cancer and anxiety please
Hi Penny, I’m not able to prescribe anything for medical issues, just make sure you’re getting herbs that haven’t been treated with pesticides! Palo santo can also be calming.
I enjoyed your article! I started reading this with no knowledge on smudging and reading your article broke smudging down to a beginner level without making me embarrassed or confused. Thank you!
I’m so glad you found it helpful. Thanks for your kind words!
Thank you for this information on smudging. I once after a bad relationship I used a candle and did the home. I had a very bad year created by negativity. I usually start planning on New Years purging right after Christmas. This year I bought a kit and was looking for more information and crossed your page. It was very good and your humor in the written word made me confident I am on board to receive blessings abundantly!
I am new to smudging. We have had an evil spirit in our house and it drove out my muse. Have a blue sage smudge to reconnect with goodness. In studying smudging I found there are different sages (white, blue, prairie…) for different purposes. Blue seemed best to heal and cleans me. I was told that the full moon phase is best.