Smudging Around the World: Cleansing Rituals Across Cultures

by Blake Octavian Blair

The practice of energetically and spiritually cleansing and purifying people, places, and objects prior to engaging in sacred practices is a fundamental magical practice. Religious, spiritual, and mystical traditions around the world and through time have practiced rituals of cleansing and purification. The details, tools, procedures, and the terms used to describe them may vary, however, the underlying intent and desired effect remains quite similar—energetic and spiritual purification.

Among present-day magickal and Pagan folk this practice of energetic cleansing is commonly called “smudging,” a term stemming from the practices of the indigenous peoples of the Americas and involves the ritual burning of various herbs (commonly various sages) to bathe the subject (human or otherwise) needing cleansing in sacred smoke. Often a feather or one’s hand is used to waft the smoke toward and around the subject. Despite the origins of the term we now commonly use in our magickal vernacular for the practice, smuding has existed in various forms for eons across cultures. Practitioners who have had exposure to Catholicism are well familiar with the Catholic Church’s affection for censing with frankincense and myrrh. (Heck, even Pagans have an affection for frankincense and myrrh!) It cannot be denied that Catholicism knows how to run a ritual and its metaphysical symbolism runs deep. For example, in Roman Catholicism, the censer is generally swung in triplicate motions to represent the holy trinity from their cosmology.

Logically, various peoples around the world have traditionally tended to sway toward the use of plants available in their geographic area for their purification and smudging practices. Some classic mainstay plants among indigenous peoples in North America are white sage (also often referred to as California or desert sage), cedar, and sweetgrass. White sage is commonly used for its magical properties of purification, healing, and driving off malevolent forces. In contrast, sweetgrass is often burned after sage for the purpose of drawing in benevolent and helpful energies and spirits. Due to this attribute, many magical practitioners like to burn sweetgrass before their spells and rituals. Cedar, while offering healing and protection, also has a masculine energy. I find burning a small amount of cedar (in large quantities it can be irritating to the lungs) along with white sage, complements the feminine energy of sage very nicely.

While plants such as white sage are and were popular among those in North America due to being native to the southwestern region of what is now the United States, it doesn’t grow wild in Europe or Asia. However, frankincense comes from the Oman area on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Its trade history through North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula spans at least 5,000 years. Myrrh resin is also harvested in abundance relatively nearby in places such as Yemen and Somalia. Thus, it is not surprising that the purificatory blend of choice among spiritual practitioners throughout the region is a blend of these two resins.

The purificatory rituals of the Aboriginals of Australia have even become a traditional way of culturally welcoming people to the country. These rituals are often referred to as “smoking ceremonies” and often are conducted by building a large central fire on which the herbs of various plants are burned to create the purifying smoke. Three of the most commonly used plants are wattle, cherry ballart, and river red gum (a type of eucalyptus)—all three plants are indigenous to Australia. The wattle is said to be symbolic of and an offering to the elders, the cherry ballart representative of youth, and the red river gum is used to represent the entire community of all Australians, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike and equal and respective use to and of the land. Visiting groups and dignitaries are often treated to such a ceremony which is literally entitled “Welcome to Country.”

The Q’ero shamans of the Andean region of Peru use the wood from the Bursera graveolens or palo santo tree, also known as “Holy Tree,” which is indigenous to Central and South America. In addition to the general cleansing, blessing, and purifying properties associated with smudging, palo santo is said by the Q’ero to be especially effective at driving away evil spirits and misfortune. Many feel that palo santo has a light, pleasant, and sweet scent similar to a combination of sandalwood and frankincense, which is not surprising, as the tree is in the same family as frankincense and myrrh, Burseraceae. One interesting characteristic of palo santo is that a stick of it when burning tends produce smoke that is not as thick or seemingly heavy as other smudges. This makes it a good choice for those who are sensitive to smoke and/or have respiratory issues. It also thusly works well for small and enclosed spaces.

In Buddhist and Hindu shrines and temples, large and small, smoking incense is a staple feature. Its purpose is multifold. The incense is indeed used as an offering to the various deities, however, incense is also used in these traditions as a purificatory element. Visitors to Buddhist temples in the East will often place incense in a large bowl of sand used as an incense burner, light the incense, and then use their hands to waft the smoke over their bodies for healing and purification. Often these large vessels of smoking incense are placed outside or just inside a temple and people gather around in large numbers to cleanse themselves before even entering the temple proper. As we can see, this is already akin to many smudging rituals and customs familiar to Westerners. In fact, the temple incense of Tibetan Buddhists comes in a variety of blends, some specifically for healing others specifically for purification—both common reasons for smudging. The blends are intricate formulas typically consisting of over thirty different herbs and botanicals and are widely prized in Tibetan culture. I find their energetic effects to be so effective that I carry purificatory Tibetan temple incense in my witch-on-the-go bag for house blessings and cleansings.

Similarly in Hinduism, incense is crafted from sacred woods, plants, and botanicals for their energetic and spiritual properties. Interestingly though, among many Hindus, the catalyst for purification from burning the incense, and thereby the plant matter, is not the smoke itself but rather the scent of the smoke. The divine scent of the burning materials is said not only to cleanse the entire environment it fills and those individuals within it, but also creates a sort of shared communion between the deity and the practitioner, as they both share in the consumption of the divine scent.

Be sure to properly research any smudging materials you plan to burn. The smoke and fumes of some substances when burned, like cedar, can be toxic—especially in large quantities. Be sure to take proper precautions when using these materials. Use proper ventilation and proper quantities and proportions. Some materials are okay only in small quantities. Additionally, many suggest that pregnant individuals not be exposed to the smoke of some materials, such as white sage. Some people feel that a light smudging outside with these substances is fine, however, others suggest avoiding them altogether. If you have any health concerns with the smoke of any smudging materials, please research the material, consult a medical professional and/or employ an alternative “smokeless smudging” method.

Smokeless Smudging Alternatives

There are many reasons and situations for which burning smudge and creating smoke is not possible, whether it be asthma or another medical concern, or an environmental or building code that prohibits burning anything. The good news is that there are many smokeless alternatives to smudging that are equally as effective, such as spirit or holy waters, gem elixirs, and flower waters or essences. Simply use your favorite method of asperging the water over the person, object, or area you wish to cleanse. While doing so, hold your intent in mind and/or accompany the ritual by reciting any mantras or prayers you’d like as you would when doing any other smudging ritual (do be mindful that whatever you are sprinkling will not be damaged by the bit of moisture). These “liquid smudges” can also be used to anoint a person or object in addition to asperging.

Sound is another excellent method of cleansing. I have been blessed with a few different opportunities to see Tibetan monks who were visiting the United States. You could almost tangibly feel the energy in the space shifting as they would chant their mantras and prayers. When they were finished, you could fully tell their intonations had transformed the energy of the space! You, too, can employ this technique by chanting your favorite mantra or blessing aloud in a space while visualizing a cleansing light filling the area. A nonvocal method of conducting a “sound smudge” is the playing of a singing bowl in an area you wish to cleanse. The vibrational frequency of the the bowl does an excellent job of clearing out unbeneficial energies. Rattling is another popular way to smudge a place or a person and is a common technique among shamanic practitioners for both cleansing and “sealing” healing work upon its completion. Simply rattle in the space or around a person in their auric field, it will break up and help dissolve detrimental energies and blockages.

Reiki and other energy and lightwork methods can also be used as a method of energetic cleansing. Smudging and purification rituals are all about shifting energy for various cleansing and healing effects, so it would only make sense that using an energy-based system, even without physical tools, can be just as effective. If you are trained in such a modality, experiment with it and see how you can apply it to this need. In this way, you have a method of cleansing anytime and anywhere in impromptu situations.

Tailor Your Practice

For many of us our spiritual practice is highly personal and individualized. Therefore, it is important to develop smudging rituals and practices that fit your needs and are relevant to you. Pick methods and materials that both resonate with you and are practical to your situation. Choose ritual incantations, prayers, or mantras to accompany according to your traditions. Depending on the choice of tools, a smudging ritual can invoke the four elements: earth (via plants), fire (via the action of burning), air (via smoke), and water (if a shell is used). In my opinion, regular smudging practices constitute good “spiritual hygiene.” In addition to the typical situations that call for smudging (cleansing tools, before ritual, after traumatic events, house blessings, etc.). I also smudge myself on a daily basis and my entire home on a weekly basis. This is good maintenance and upkeep—as the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure!” I think this is especially true for spiritual hygiene! So develop a routine that works for you, whether it be a smudging yourself daily, your home a certain day each week, or doing a cleansing ritual on the New and Full Moon.

The basic tools you will want for what we’d think of as more “traditional” smudging rituals, where plant matter is burned, are not hard to come by and you have several options. You will need a fireproof bowl or clay pot of some type. I recommend a nonflammable substance such as sand or aquarium gravel to put in the bottom of the bowl. This safety measure helps absorb some of the heat as well as aid you in extinguishing the smudge. Many people like to use an abalone shell for this purpose, and while they can work just fine, they are not fireproof or heatproof and you can burn through the bottom. The shell can also become quite hot quite fast, so if you choose to use one purchase, definitely use sand or gravel. The bowl will serve as a vessel to catch ashes or burning embers and to rest the smudge in as you carry it about during your ceremony. Many people like to waft the smoke using a feather or their hand. At this point, all you are missing is your smudging material itself. If you choose to use a smudge stick or bundle, you are good to go, just be sure to fully tamp out and extinguish the bundle when you are finished by tapping and grinding it into the gravel or sand in the bowl. If you use loose resins and herbs, you will also need a small incense charcoal (and tongs to handle it) to place on top of the sand in the bowl to burn the smudge upon. But as always, never leave things burning unattended.

As I mentioned earlier, I like to smudge myself daily as a cleansing and an act of prayer. While you should work to create personalized rituals, I’ll share here the basics of mine that you can use as an inspirational springboard. Remember, rituals need not be elaborate nor lengthy to be effective! For my daily smudging, I use a stick of palo santo wood and a medium-sized seashell I found at the beach. I stand before my altar and light the palo santo. I waft the smoke over my altar area as an offering and cleansing. I pass it down my body a couple times in the front and in the back (as best I can). I make sure to smudge under my feet and I then make prayers and requests to my spirits for protection and guidance throughout the day as I use my hand to waft the smoke again into my heart chakra, and then up over my brow and crown areas. I then hold the smoldering stick in front of me and focus on my intentions for the day and let the smoke carry them into the realm of spirit. (Smoke is a traditional method in many cultures to carry prayers into the spiritual realms.) I then declare to myself or aloud “Blessed be. So mote it be.” I close the simple ritual by extinguishing the smudge by tamping it out in the shell I store it in on my altar.

Whether by smoke, sound, liquid, or other method, smudging can be a powerful practice to implement on a regular basis, not just prior to rituals. As you can see, smudging can be made into a powerful ritual in and of itself. Hopefully the information, techniques, and ideas shared in this article will provide the inspiration you need to implement and carry on the sacred tradition of smudging.