Some Aborigines believe that healing must take place only after one has cleansed them selves of certain conditions. These teachings date back to ancient times. Some of the conditions consist of:
1. Negative thoughts of one’s past
2. Negative thoughts of one’s future and others as well
3. Emotional illness like: bitterness and envy
4. Evil spirits
5. Attachments of others and negative feelings from others
These healings often take place in a sweat lodge or a teepee/cave filled with smoke and heat. The smoke and heat is used to treat the sick or ill person of these and other conditions.
These places are used as a sanctuary of sorts that can be filled with the spirit or god to heal the sick without interference from others. Many use burning herbs or resins which accomplish this same effect and with others the smoke is grasped in hand and rubbed on the body—or Smudging.
There are many herbs and plants that can be used for this purpose. Below is a list of the most commonly used herbs, plants, and grasses in smudging ceremonies. You can also cleanse your space and body outside for protection and other purposes:
Sage Sprigs: The word sage is from the Latin word “Salvia” which means “To heal” sage is among the most commonly used and is good for protection and cleansing. Also from the sage family:
• Mug-wort
• White Sage
Which are also used for cleansing and protection. You can combine some of the branches with other herbs and plants to get other effects. It is said that combining pine and white sage will bring prosperity.
Cedar and Juniper branches: These are most often used to cleanse and purify one’s house or other spaces. They are also used to protect your belongings.
Sweet-grass: Is used as well to purify and protect your home-it is known to draw out negative influences and restore good ones into the home.
Copal: Is a plant resin which is used to cleanse and purify a person or thing through its touch.
Frankincense and Myrrh: Though we often associate these with Christmas and the birth of Jesus they are used in Africa and Europe for ceremonies and rituals to balance yin and yang in a dwelling or place.
Tobacco: Many use tobacco to raise their prayers upwards to their creator. When burned with other herbs like Sage, Cedar or sweet grass they are said to enhance the magical intentions of smudging.
You can purchase Smudges and resins at an occult shop or new age shops almost anywhere. Some are also available online in new age shops. The branches, plants and resins are believed by some to not work and be a sign of voodoo or other pagan religions. Though this is not true it is known that the smoke does create positive place for energies to flow in your space and that it can bring positive energy to you replacing the negative energy you are fighting leaving you feeling good and recharged.
Smudging is another way to feel good spiritually, emotionally, and physically better and what can be better then that!
