Here is a basic introduction to smudging.
Smudging is a way of clearing a space usually preformed before spell craft.
In recent years this practice has become much more popular within many communities.
You can smudge with a number of herbs amongst some are sweet grass and lavender.
More popular and my two favourites are Sage and Palo Santa.
Sage has been used since ancient times,
Used in ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian medicine.
Very different to White sage. Romans offered a great ceremony when gathered, as Sage was sacred to the God Jupiter. The name Salvia is related to the Latin word salvere, meaning to heal, preserve or redeem.
European traditions denote Sage with wisdom, long life and even immortality.
In magical practice sage is known to be lucky and used often in spell craft for protection, cleansing and prosperity.
White sage dates back to the ancient practices of the native Americans.
Used to send prayers and when working with spirit. White sage grows in California. This is the one commonly used in smudging and the one I will be using today.
Palo Santa
This is not a leaf or flower but wooden sticks.
This tree is closely related to frankincense.
The smell is there very noticeably even before burning.
Different to white Sage which clears the space. Palo Santa adds to the space as well as cleanse away negative energies.
Filling your space with positive energies.
Palo Santa is also known to boast your immune system as well as relieve emotional stress, and works as a repellant to an array of insects.
You can read about basic herbs and their magical use in spells on my Herb-Craft page