A Native American tradition is to cleanse bad spirits from houses.Smudging can be done by burning dried herbs and letting the smoke go around the house.If you read these instructions, you will be able to perform a smudging ceremony that respects the original traditions.
Step 1: If you don't follow a specific tradition, use sage.
Dozens of Native American tribes and other cultures have their own traditions about which plants to use.It is important for the Cheyenne and other Great Plains cultures to have sagebrush.Many cultures consider white sage to be excellent at driving away bad spirits, but other varieties are used as well.
Step 2: If cedar grows in your area, consider it instead.
In the Pacific Northwest and Canada, cedar is often burned in cleansing ceremonies.Some trees referred to as "cedars" are actually juniper trees, which some tribes do not use.Some Native American elders don't like the practice of mixing multiple herbs together.There are many different smudging ceremonies and some of them may call for a different plant.If you have not been taught a specific culture's tradition, you should perform an effective and respectful ceremony.
Step 3: After the ceremony is over, burn sweetgrass.
Sweetgrass, or holy grass, is a sacred plant in North America and is often considered to represent kindness and please spirits.It can be burned after the cedar has cleared away the negative energy.If you have been taught a specific tribe's tradition that uses sweetgrass in the main ceremony, you can use any plant that the tribe allows.
Step 4: If you want to harvest the plants yourself, buy raw, natural tobacco.
If you're new to the ceremony, stick to one herb.Before you harvest a different herb, use tobacco as an offering.More information can be found below.
Step 5: These plants can be obtained from respectful sources.
If you can, you should harvest these plants yourself, in a natural environment.To ensure the plants were treated correctly, get them from a Native American shop.Many tribes place natural, raw tobacco as an offering after thanking the Creator or nature.The cedar tree needs to be Harvested the correct part.Pick branches with green tips.Before burning, dry them and crush them into a rough powder.Sweetgrass is rare in some areas, so you should not harvest it yourself.Try to find sustainable sweetgrass braids from a Native American shop or online store.
Step 6: You can either bundle the herb into a bunch or hold it in a natural container.
Stone bowls are used in rituals.Abalone shells are a common container, but some Pacific Northwest tribes think they are not appropriate for this ritual.There are bundles of herbs called "smudge sticks".Many Native Americans still use traditional smudge sticks despite questions from some Native American elders.
Step 7: Waft the smoke with a turkey feather.
A feather or fan of feathers can be used to smoke during a ceremony.Unless you are a member of a native tribe, eagle and hawk feathers are not allowed in the US.Turkey feathers are traditionally used by some tribes in eastern North America.Owl feathers have different rituals, so do not use them.Wild feathers are not allowed in the United States.Purchase feathers from farm-raised birds, or use feathers you've obtained yourself from hunting or finding them in the wild.
Step 8: Store the materials above the waist.
Keep your plants and container above the ground.A high bookshelf is a good choice.If you use the herbs before they are dry, you will fail to produce the right smoke.
Step 9: Know when to smudge.
A lot of people smudge when they move into a new place or stay in a hotel room.If you hear bad news or are preparing for a big change in your life, you may want to perform a smudging ceremony.Smudging can help you deal with the effects of an argument or illness.Smudging can be done more frequently under certain circumstances, such as in places where other ceremonies take place, or during archaeological excavations of native remains and sacred materials.Some U.S. institutions have changed their fire use policies after challenges based on the First Amendment and freedom of religion.
Step 10: Before beginning, remove metal objects.
It's common for different cultures to have different rules for how to participate in a ceremony, but removing metal jewelry, belts, and so forth is a requirement.This can be seen as a way to prepare yourself for the future, or it can symbolize the end of things.Many experienced ceremony leaders allow you to keep on wedding rings and other metal objects with spiritual significance, so feel free to do so when performing your own ceremony.
Step 11: Don't follow additional rules out of respect.
A couple of the more common traditions are listed below.If you follow the rules out of respect, do not drink alcohol or take drugs for at least 24 hours before the ceremony, and not for several days.You may be weakened by them.Menstruating or pregnant women are sometimes asked to leave due to beliefs of their spiritual intensity disrupting the ceremony or leaving them vulnerable.They are welcome at the house ceremony, but not personally sanctified.
Step 12: Either pray or give thanks.
Everyone should enter the ceremony with good intentions.In whatever way you feel comfortable, please pray to the world's creator.If you don't want to pray, think about your gratitude for the plants and the earth.You can continue to pray silently or aloud during the ceremony.The smoke is believed to carry your prayers.
Step 13: You can put the dried herbs in the container or bundle them together.
There is a bundle of herbs which can be used for multiple ceremonies.Place a small amount of dried plant material in a natural container, such as a clay, stone, or abalone shell bowl.
Step 14: The smoke from burning the herbs is not fire.
Some people feel more in touch with the ceremony if they use matches rather than a lighter or torch, although you can light the plants with any source of fire.The herbs will only produce smoke if the fire catch hold for 30 seconds.If the smoke starts to run out, you can relight the herbs or add more.
Step 15: Fanning the smoke over participants' bodies is how to purify them.
The participants are smudged before the house is built.There is no one correct way to do this part of the ceremony.Make sure each participant rubs the smoke against their body.If you have an eagle, hawk, or turkey feather, use it to fan the smoke.To catch the smoke, use your hands as a cup and rub it against your skin.People put their hands down when they are done.Many people prefer to start with their head and heart, then move the smoke downward across their arms and legs.You can use any method you please.Menstruating and pregnant women don't participate in this part of the ceremony because they are already in a special spiritual state.Anyone can politely decline as well.
Step 16: Take a walk around the perimeter of the house or room to release the smoke.
Use your hands or a feather to push the smoke out of the house.As you pass by an open door or window, you can use a feather to push the smoke outside.Traditions begin at the east wall, west wall or front entrance.You can walk clockwise or counterclockwise.Many cultures and individuals follow different practices for the smudging ceremony.
Step 17: It is possible to repeat with one or more additional plants.
Some people prepare a new container and burn another plant.The most common part of these multi-part ceremonies is the initial purification of the person, followed by sweetgrass to please the spirits or a positive environment.
Step 18: Allow the ashes to cool and then return them to the earth.
Thank the earth for providing a sacrifice of plants for you to use and thank the plants and fire as well.The soil will benefit from the regrowth of the scythes.The Anishinaabe place the ashes outside to symbolize leaving negative feelings outside the door.If you let the herbs finish smoldering, you can return what's left along with the ashes.If you use a smudge stick, extinguish it by stubbing it against a hard surface.Store the stick in a special location off the ground if you want to use it later.