Smudge & Smoke Cleansing

Medicinal:
An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach pains and diarrhea. A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds. A decoction of the powdered leaves has been used externally to treat various internal pains, including rheumatism. A weak infusion has been drunk in the treatment of painful joints caused by rheumatism or arthritis.

Magical:
Used to attracts money, healing, love, psychic powers and purification. It's also symbol of power and longevity.
As an incense, it can be used in Wiccanings & baby blessings, in addition to consecrating of magical wands and other tools. >br />To harm a Cedar is to invoke misfortune.
Use in dream pillows for protection.
Burn as an incense during meditation and Scrying.
Keep a mojo bag filled with cedar chips and leave tips in your purse or wallet to draw money.

Medicinal Action and Uses---A weak tonic, slightly diaphoretic, diuretic, and aperient; valuable in all visceral obstructions, particularly those of the liver, in scorbutic affections, and in troublesome eruptive diseases, even those of the leprous order. A decoction makes a curative lotion for milk-crust on the scalp of an infant. Physicians and writers from Dioscorides to Chaucer, and from the fourteenth century to Cullen and to modern times value its purifying power. The Japanese make a tonic from it. Cows and sheep eat it, and the latter are said to derive great benefit from it. The leaves, in decoction or extract, may be used in almost any doses. The inspissated juice has also been employed, also a syrup, powder, cataplasm, distilled water, and several tinctures.

French and German physicians still prefer it to most other medicines as a purifier of the blood; while sometimes the dried leaves are smoked in the manner of tobacco, for disorders of the head. Dr. Cullen, among its good effects in cutaneous disorders, mentions the following:

'There is a disorder of the skin, which, though not attended with any alarming symptoms of danger to the life of the patient, is thought to place the empire of beauty in great jeopardy; the complaint is frequently brought on by neglecting to use a parasol, and may be known by sandy spots, vulgarly known as freckles, scattered over the face. Now, be it known to all whom it may concern, that the infusion of the leaves of the above described plant is said to be an excellent specific for removing these freckles and clearing the skin; and ought, we think, to be chiefly employed by those who have previously removed those moral blemishes which deform the mind, or degrade the dignity of a reasonable and an immortal being.'

Recognized for its ability to purify and cleanse, Fumitory has curious associations with the Underworld as well:

“It was believed to have been created out of the gases rising from the bowels of the earth and has a history of use in exorcisms. An excellent herb to use on Hallow’s Eve, fumitory is among the better incenses for dispelling all negative energies. Fumitory lends itself to rituals of purification, such as preparation of a new residence before moving in and unpacking.” - Beyerl, 1998

This is grown and harvested by us

Known as the most popular Native American botanical across North America, this cleansing herb has been used by the Plains Indians for thousands of years.

Harvested fresh and dried to preserve the natural essential oils, this cleansing herb has been used by the Plains Indians for thousands of years in purification rituals.

As a dried herb, Artimisia is closely connected to the tribal beliefs and traditions of many cultures. Used by the Plains Indians for thousands of years, it is the most popular Native American botanical across North America. The leaves are carefully dried to preserve the natural essential oils of this cleansing herb. Not only are the cool leaves soothing and fragrant, the appearance of this herb marks one of the great seasonal ceremonial cycles for Northern Plains Indians. During Native American rituals such as the Sundance and the Hanbleceya (crying for a dream or vision quest,) beds of fresh Artimisia restore and refresh participants while the earthy aroma grounds tribal members, tying them to their purpose.

Outside of these important ceremonies, plant smudging is used by people from all walks of life to cleanse a space. As a purification ritual, the Native Americans believe the smell of burning sage pleases the spirits while the smoke repels bad influences. This ancestral connection between smoke and spirit, to both attract positive energy and remove negative energy, is represented across our continent and the world.

Sometimes overlooked for more "flashy" herbs in this current day, mugwort is still a favorite of Herbalists. Mugwort has an affinity for the female reproductive system and is used as a uterine stimulant that can bring on delayed menstruation and help restore a woman's natural monthly cycle.

As all the bitter herbs, mugwort is an excellent digestive stimulant and is quite effective taken before or after heavy meals to alleviate gas and bloating. It is mildly sedative and useful in calming frayed nerves and easing stress. A combination of agrimony, mugwort and vinegar is an excellent treatment for sciatica or muscular stiffness

NOTE: Do not use if pregnant

One of the more interesting traditional uses of mugwort is that of a dream herb. It is often used as one of the main ingredients in sleep pillows, and it said to bring the dreamer more lucid dreams. Mugwort is also often used as a smudging (burning) ceremonial herb

Shamanic Magical Use: This is the plant of Midgard, burned at the start of a ritual. One starts and ends with Mugwort, as one starts and ends with Midgard. Its shamanic purpose is purification. We tend to think of purification, in these days of advanced medical antisepsis, as being sterile. To us, "pure" has come to mean "without life". When we use something whose basic power is purification, we expect, on some level, for it to clean everything and leave it a blank slate. However, that's not what magical purification actually does.

Perhaps a better term for it would be "sanctification". Purifying magics create that aura of sacred space, which is so clear when you're in it but so elusive to describe. In order to create that energy, they do push out other sorts of energy, including the busy, well-worn, "messy" energy of the everyday. After the purification energy fades, the other stuff may drift back, or it might not, so it can have a cleaning effect in some cases.

Mugwort is the herb that is most often burned as recels, the Old English word for incense; pronounced ray-kels. The act of burning it is referred to as recaning, which can be pronounced various ways, but the most graceful seems to be reek-en-ing; the verb recan is cognate to our work "reek". Celtic-tradition people use the term saining. It's an alternative to the Native American-derived term "smudging", and it can be bound in lashed bundles and burned in the same way as white sagebrush. It also has a clearing effect on the mind, and a heightening of the extra senses, so it is a good thing to start any working that is going to involve an altered or trance state at some point.

This is the plant of Midgard, burned at the start of a ritual. One starts and ends with Mugwort, as one starts and ends with Midgard. Its shamanic purpose is purification. We tend to think of purification, in these days of advanced medical antisepsis, as being sterile. To us, "pure" has come to mean "without life". When we use something whose basic power is purification, we expect, on some level, for it to clean everything and leave it a blank slate. However, that's not what magical purification actually does.

Perhaps a better term for it would be "sanctification". Purifying magics create that aura of sacred space, which is so clear when you're in it but so elusive to describe. In order to create that energy, they do push out other sorts of energy, including the busy, well-worn, "messy" energy of the everyday. After the purification energy fades, the other stuff may drift back, or it might not, so it can have a cleaning effect in some cases.

Mugwort is the herb that is most often burned as recels, the Old English word for incense; pronounced ray-kels. The act of burning it is referred to as recaning, which can be pronounced various ways, but the most graceful seems to be reek-en-ing; the verb recan is cognate to our work "reek". Celtic-tradition people use the term saining. It's an alternative to the Native American-derived term "smudging", and it can be bound in lashed bundles and burned in the same way as white sagebrush. It also has a clearing effect on the mind, and a heightening of the extra senses, so it is a good thing to start any working that is going to involve an altered or trance state at some point.

Wild harvested and collected from only fallen wood. The holy wood is revered by Shaman and used in ceremonies for cleansing and healing rituals.

Palo Santo is enjoyed by many for its energetically cleansing and healing properties similar to Sage and Cedar. It is a strong medicine that has been popularized for its heavenly presence in Ayahuasca ceremonies while keeping energies grounded and clear. It creates a pleasant, fresh smoke that works well in keeping away mosquitoes and other flying insects which is one of the prime uses for the people who live in Ecuador and Peru. It provides an uplifting scent that raises your vibration in preparation for meditation and allows for a deeper connection to the Source of all creation. It is also said that Palo Santo enhances creativity and brings good fortune to those who are open to its magic.

This beautiful species of Sage comes from the coastal mountains of California. Native Americans of the Southwest use its pungent aroma for purification prior to healing ceremonies. White Sage is said to bring peace and harmony, which is why it was included in a special incense mixture known as 'White Buffalo' that was used at tribal gathering. White Sage is also used for consecration and cleansing of ritual tools.

~ 4" x 1.5" Beautiful White Sage Smudge Stick!

Also known as "the Grandfather Sage".

Each bundle has powerful aroma. Each wand is a tight bundle of dried White Sage.

The sage bundles average length - 3.5" x 1" in diameter. The bundles average 1/2" oz in weight.

Its a natural herb used for ceremonial and environmental enhancement. When burnt in a smudge pot, it is used to clear evil spirits and negative energies.

Yerba Santa is at home in the South-western mountains of North America. The Spaniards named this herb for what it is - Yerba Santa means 'holy herb'. The Western tribes had long used it for medicinal and spiritual purposes. It is especially valued as a smudging herb for healing rituals as it is thought to neutralize disease causing energies and offer protection. It is thought to bring peace and understanding and is used to heal the emotional wounds of quarrels.

Medicinal Uses Yerba santa leaves warm and stimulate the respiratory system; reduce inflammation in the sinuses, throat, and lungs; and dry excessive secretions of the lungs or upper respiratory tract. Take the leaf tincture to relieve chronic asthma, bronchitis, or seasonal allergies accompanied by copious and easily expectorated mucus discharge, but keep in mind that yerba santa leaves can be very astringent. If taken in higher doses—more than about 45 drops—the drying effect may make your tongue feel like it’s been wrung out, but if taken in smaller doses, you will find that yerba santa first gently dries and then remoistens and refreshes the mucous membranes.

The cooled tea or the tincture in room temperature water speeds the healing of urinary tract infections characterized by mucus discharge. The tea drunk hot or the tincture in hot water promotes sweating and increases circulation to the extremities and the surface of the skin.

Also known as consumptive’s weed, yerba santa leaf has a history of use for treating tubercular cough and wasting away. Its high flavonoid content, represented by its sweet taste, points to its ability to nourish, build, and maintain the integrity of tissues.

Yerba santa has a very interesting taste characteristic—it starts out bitter and slowly gets sweeter. It teaches us how to find sweetness in the bitter experiences of life by bringing awareness to the initiatory power of trauma. In a similar way through its association with fire, yerba santa aligns us with the myth of the phoenix rising from the ashes.

Burn the leaves as smudge to purify spaces and to clear heavy or dark energies from people. Crush the leaves and add them to herbal smoking mixes to help clear mucus from the lungs.

This pleasant herb is good for dressing altars and as an ingredient in a charm bag carried for protection or to increase divinatory abilities. Burned in the sick room, its fragrance helps dispel hostile spirits that might be involved in the disease, and it makes a nice purifying potpourri when combined with spearmint and cascara sagrada.

Some make a decoction (pour boiling water over the herb and let steep) and bring to the cemetery to pour over the grave of someone whose spirit you wish to contact in dreamwork. Others add it to bath water for magical beautification. Yerba santa is a nice ingredient for healing incenses as well. It smells great!

Yerba santa is used for psychic power, healing, empowerment, beauty, & protection. It is feminine in nature. In magic, Yerba Santa can also be used for making poppets, creating your own tinctures, charms or mojo bags, ritual baths, spellcraft supplies, or for making your own magick powders or ritual incense blends. Add Yerba Santa to your bath, to bring out your own inner beauty.

Spiritually, it is said that yerba santa helps to release the emotional pain that is often stored in the lungs and heart areas, such as grief, depression, melancholy, and despair. These emotions can impair the breathing and flow of soul energy. Yerba santa can help one to recognize and release these energies, allowing the spiritual body to come back into balance. As an incense it’s also called “Portable Temple” because it will drive out negative influences and restores a guarded boundary of protection.

Yerba santa leaves warm and stimulate the respiratory system; reduce inflammation in the sinuses, throat, and lungs; and dry excessive secretions of the lungs or upper respiratory tract. Take the leaf tincture to relieve chronic asthma, bronchitis, or seasonal allergies accompanied by copious and easily expectorated mucus discharge, but keep in mind that yerba santa leaves can be very astringent. If taken in higher doses—more than about 45 drops—the drying effect may make your tongue feel like it’s been wrung out, but if taken in smaller doses, you will find that yerba santa first gently dries and then re-moistens and refreshes the mucous membranes.

Sacred to Native Americans as well as Spanish Settlers, Yerba Santa sage is used in smudging to provide deep spiritual cleansing and aid on spiritual journeys.