How do you smudge with a smudge stick?
Do you take it apart or what?
I've found that a lot of people are confused by how exactly to smudge with a bundle of
sage or a smudge stick compared to loose sage.
Today, I'm here to get rid of all of that confusion.
All of your questions about smudging with a smudge stick will be answered in today's
video.
Hi, there, I'm Mallory.
Welcome back to the Tribal Trade channel, where we share new videos every single week
about smudging, indigenous culture, native teachings, and more.
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How is smudging with a smudge stick different from smudging with loose sage?
If you've purchased or received a smudge kit as a gift, the sage inside of the smudging
kit is likely in the form of a bundle.
Smudging with a smudge stick, whether you made it yourself or not, is a different process
than smudging with loose sage.
If you're someone who wants to do your sage cleanse with a smudge stick, but you're not
sure how to light it well, or keep it lit, I've put together these six steps on specifically
how to smudge with a sage stick.
There are many different ways to smudge and everyone has their own style, so feel free
to use this video as a foundation and get comfortable with learning what feels best
for you.
Let's jump right into the six steps for smudging with a sage stick that I've organized here
for you today.
You're going to be 100% confident on using a bundle of sage to smudge.
And I promise you, it's all super easy.
It just takes some time to set aside and have the right intentions.
The first step in smudging with a smudge stick is to either make it yourself or buy one.
So, the first step is to source your smudges stick.
Remember what I said about finding what feels best for you?
This is the first example on how you can do that.
It's up to you, whether you want to make a smudge stick yourself or to buy one.
Why might you want to make it yourself?
By making your own smudge stick yourself, you can customize the medicines inside the
bundle exactly to your liking.
You can add flowers and herbs to make it entirely your own.
This is a big draw for a lot of people, especially those who are more experienced in the practice.
Now, why might you want to buy a smudge stick?
First of all, buying a smudge stick instead of making one is definitely easier.
It allows you to start smudging sooner.
When you make your own smudge stick, you have to go out and source long branches of sage
so you have enough material to make what you need.
With a pre-made smudge stick.
You've got everything for your practice right in front of you.
Now, the second step in smudging with a smudge stick is to prep your sage stick and your
other materials, whether it's a smudge kit or other items that you have for your smudging
session.
Before getting started, it's so important to prepare your materials.
The last thing you want is to have your practice interrupted because you don't have what you
need.
Make sure you have a bowl handy in case you want to set your sage stick down at any time.
I don't recommend setting it down directly on top of any furniture.
When you're smudging with loose sage, it's pretty obvious that you'll need a fire proof
bowl or abalone shell to hold your sage.
But when you're using a smudge stick, this factor might not be as clear.
That's why I recommend getting everything in place before you start, this way you can
focus your mind on the task at hand, which is your smudge ceremony.
Now, the third step in smudging with a smudge stick is the same step when smudging with
any type of sage, which is to set your intentions and focus on them.
This is arguably the most important part of the smudging ceremony.
Ask yourself what's the reason that I'm smudging today.
Your reason is your intention, and what your intention is, gives your smudge the power
that it holds.
Some people smudge in order to rid a space of negative energy.
Some people smudge simply to clear the air of unwanted feelings or emotions.
Some people smudge to welcome a new season.
Some people smudge to wipe the space clean of bad energy after an argument.
Everyone's reasons and intentions are different, just make sure that you know yours.
If you don't know what to say during your smudge, you can get a personalized smudge
prayer based on your specific needs.
I'll put the link for that down in the description below.
Have you ever smudged before?
Do you prefer to use a loose sage or a smudge stick?
Let me know in the comments.
All right, now let's keep going.
There are still three more steps that coincide with smudging with a smudge stick.
The fourth step in smudging with a smudge stick is to light the sage bundle.
If you made the bundle yourself, there's a benefit to this.
You can intentionally make the bundle looser so that it's easier to light.
Sage is typically easier to light when it's looser, because it's easier for the air to
reach the flame.
Sage sticks are known for being hard to light and to keep them lit, because they're wrapped
so tightly and the flame dies out quickly, which can be disruptive and annoying to your
smudging practice.
The fifth step in smudging with a smudge stick is to smudge your feather, if you have one,
and then smudge yourself first.
Sometimes when you smudge, you might not have a feather and that's completely okay.
You don't need one for your smudge to be effective.
This step is where having a smudge bowl to place your smudge stick in will be super helpful.
With the bundle in the bowl, you can wharf the smudging smoke around yourself very easily
and help this step go off without a hitch.
Now, the sixth and final step in smudging with a smudge stick is to smudge your surroundings.
The last step involves smudging your surroundings.
The difference in this step when using a bundle is that you have the option to hold the smudge
stick itself, rather than the bowl or the abalone shell that you would be using if you
were smudging with loose sage.
Some people like this better as it feels like more of a tool, but in the end, it depends
on you, whatever feels right for you.
Don't forget to let the sage burnout on its own once you're finished.
This is a crucial part to a successful smudging ceremony.
Whether you're new to smudging or you want to get started on your own practice, there's
no better place to begin than on the Tribal Trade Co website.
We have everything you'll need and more to create an awesome smudging practice for yourself.
In order for your smudge practice to be as successful as possible, you're going to need
the right tools and the right guidance.
If you haven't already, download our free smudging guide to help walk you through your
smudge while doing it, and learn about the other sacred medicines too, which is also
included in the guide.
Check out our website for everything that you'll need related to smudging from abalone
shells to sage and everything in between.
Do you usually smudge with smudging stick or loose sage?
Let me know in the comments.
Thank you so much for watching, guys.
I hope you have a wonderful day and we'll see you next time.