When it comes to cleansing personal items, there’s a lot of focus on smudging, but there’s more to it than just lighting some herbs and wafting the smoke around. Let’s talk about smoke cleansing, how it’s done, when we should do it, and the difference between smoke cleansing and smudging.

Why we cleanse

You might now want to cleanse every new thing that enters your space – If something has sentimental energy, comes from a loved one, or maybe it came from a sacred place, you might want to keep that energy with it. However, if you want to give that object new life, get rid of energetic baggage, or simply start fresh, cleansing is a good idea – it removes all the energy that item is carrying with it, both the good AND the bad.

The Difference Between Smudging and Smoke Cleansing

Smudging is a traditional practice with deep spiritual roots among various Native American tribes and the process involves specific rituals and ceremonies unique to each tribe typically passed down through generations. The exact rituals and process themselves vary as well as the materials used, such as white sage and specific feathers or shells, and have cultural significance that should be respected. Smudging is a ceremonial act that may include initiation or traditional prayers, making it much more complex and nuanced than simply burning herbs. So while a lot of folks might refer to smoke cleansing as “smudging” – this is factually inaccurate and can be insensitive to indigenous cultures who practice smudging.

Smoke cleansing, however, is a general practice of using smoke to cleanse objects, not tied to any specific cultural rituals, and common all over the world to variety of different cultures, all with their own nuances, contexts, peculiarities, and differences. If you have a draw or attraction to a specific culture, it’s worth researching how that specific tradition practices smoke cleansing – and cleansing in general – to see how you can incorporate it into your practice. General, unspecific smoke cleansing involves burning herbs or other plant materials to create smoke that can be used to purify objects or spaces in just about any form – single dry herbs as leaves, powders, or sprigs, incense, bundles, resins, or even fresh herbs.

Using Herbs for Smoke Cleansing

White sage is usually prescribed for smoke cleansing since it’s associated with smudging, but it’s best to avoid it – while white sage isn’t endangered, it is facing issues from commercial poaching and over harvesting in the wild due to the high demands. There are many other herbs you can use that are just as effective, such as rosemary, lavender, and bay leaves. There’s also regular cooking sage (I grow blue sage in my yard and it’s beautiful and fantastic – if you love sage, there’s no reason you can’t grow your own!)! These herbs are more widely available, often at your favorite grocery store, and can be used for smoke cleansing without the same cultural and environmental concerns. For resins, I especially love dragons blood and frankincense. Of course, your favorite incense blend, whether in cone or stick form, is usable as well. Some folks have strong opinions about whether synthetic or natural incense has an effect and I recommend that you experiment with these to decide for yourself which methods work for you.

A Simple Smoke Cleansing Ritual

For a simple smoke cleansing ritual, you can use common herbs like rosemary, lavender, or even incense sticks or cones. Here’s a general guide for smoke cleansing objects:

1. Prepare Your Herb or Incense: Choose a dried herb or incense for your smoke cleansing. If you’re using fresh herbs, they can also work, but they might require more effort to burn.
2. Light the Herb: Use a lighter or a match to ignite your herb. If you’re using incense sticks or cones, simply light them as usual.
3. Create the Smoke: Once your herb or incense is lit, allow it to create a steady stream of smoke. Wait a couple seconds and then blow out the flame to leave an ember or “cherry” still burning. You don’t want to have your herbs or incense still flaming as you smoke cleanse. If you’re using fresh herbs, loose herbs, or resin, a charcoal disc will be especially helpful and you can use a heat-resistant dish to hold the herb while it burns. Remember: always practice fire safety!
4. Pass the Object Through the Smoke: Gently pass your object through the smoke, ensuring that all sides are exposed. Focus on your intention while doing this and you can say a prayer, affirmation, or simply set a positive intention for your cleansing. If your item is too large or you’re cleansing a space or person, waft the smoke over them instead – you can use your hand, fan, or other object to control the direction of the smoke. Do so gently so as not to disturb your embers or spread the resulting ash everywhere – this is a great way to create a mess!
5. Repeat as Needed: Continue passing the object through the smoke until you feel it’s cleansed. If you’re uncertain, aim for about three breaths on each side of the object. And remember, if you need to, you can always repeat the cleansing against later.

Smoke cleansing is a versatile and effective way to cleanse objects and by respecting cultural traditions and using terms accurately, you can avoid appropriation while still benefiting from the practice. Experiment with different herbs and methods to find what works best for you and your objects. With a little practice, you’ll find a method that helps you keep your space and items energetically clear.